I think we should hand out condoms to all the obstructionist Republicans, since all they seem to do is provide cover for Dick. . . Cheney, that is.

Thanks for keeping the pressure on, Christy!

Mwahahahahaha. The thought of mailing a condom to Cornyn is at once hilarious and icky.

new?

Good Morning Christy and Pups.

Thank you Christy for helping us keep up to date on this saga. When the pugs start wearing foil hats ‘n stuff, there’s hope.

Tell ‘em to keep digging. Their ludicrous efforts only make the holes in their logic and truthiness more obvious.

These guys can’t even be honest when they’re fighting someone. As you point out, they don’t want Koh (and Johnsen) because he is against torture and for the rule of law. They are using disgusting, underhanded smears in their fight.

It appears that they are using lies about a speech Koh gave, twisting his words to say that he thinks sharia law should trump US law. For Johnsen, they are using her time at NARAL and a footnote in a 20 year old brief she filed for them to fight her.

We need to call these cretins out. Ask them why they can’t just be honest and admit that they are against Koh and Johnsen because they are for torture.

Please call your Senators today and say just that, folks. They need to step up to the plate, too.

This crap really needs to be called out for the underhanded idiocy that it is. CYA ought not get you very far — and yet? They’ve been getting away with it for far too long…

The unity of purpose and tactics of the Republican Party are the same as that exhibited by any totallitarian movement or regime.

I fear they have trod too far, too long on the path away from honesty and justice. They probably wouldn’t recognize the truth if it smacked them in the face. Try smacking the other end. Maybe, in their panic, they’d run off the cliff at the edge of their known world.

well said. pretty much unacceptable on all counts, wouldn’t you say?!

So, how is everyone this morning?

I’m happy to report that all my little seedlings survived the cold snap of the last couple of days thanks to a couple of bedsheets weighed down by water-filled milk jugs a la Toby. Just took the sheets off to find that they’d not only survived, but that several of them have already sprouted a new set of leaves and are rooting out nicely.

Boo yah!

Koh may be a great guy and just the person for the job, but meanwhile the Obama and the Obama DOJ is just as corrupt as Bush and the Bush DOJ. What more evidence does one need beyond their recent contention that the government can spy on Americans as much as they want so long as the info is not publicly disclosed? How much more corrupt can one get?

We’re all going to have to push for sunshine on any number of issues. Over the last few years, the default position has become secrecy on so many levels. It’s going to take a lot of time to turn that around.

But it won’t happen unless we push on a number of fronts at once. We have to make them do it. It’s always been that way in government — Obama is not the first to have to learn that lesson, nor will he be the last.

How am I? Disullisioned and dicouraged by Obama and the Dems in Congress. For every step forward they seem to take 2 steps back. They still treat the Republicans as if they are the “loyal” opposition rather than a 5th Column that would destroy the nation and it’s people for their narrow ideology.

Just this very moment two ladys on”FAUX”news were talking about of all things,”spray on viagra”I could not resist with the headline of this article.

Regrettably, I have to leave you pups for a couple of days. There’s a window of opportunity to part with a lot of our “stuff” in a hurry if we jump fast, thereby moving significantly closer to our goal of downsizing.

Christy, if you think the sweet little peanut keeps you busy, wait till she’s a 30-something, and then try to fit into her schedule. Oye!

It’s a good thing. Kids and parents together at any age are precious. Hugs to the whole ((((Redd family))))!

Good Morning Christy and Firedogs,

called both my Senators yesterday. unfortunately, their slave names are Cornyn and Hutchison -

omg. does that come with a counter-irritant? ask any intrepid protestor. sprays have a way of ingendering unintended consequences and being hard to aim with precision. ick.

You can’t expect them to turn on a dime — it just isn’t going to happen. THey are human beings, with all the frailties that all of us have, and some of these selfsame people that you loathe have been friends and colleagues of a lot of the Dems for a long, long time.

When I was practicing law, there were lawyers who would pull craptastic stunts in the courtroom against each other and then be able to walk out of the courthouse and have a cuppa coffee as if nothing happened because they’d been at each other’s throats for years. When I was a younger lawyer, it used to drive me nuts because I took everything really personally. But I learned, over time, that some of it is part of their job — to push the boundaries in order to test evidence and information — and to distinguish between that and truly despicable acts.

I think it is tough when you have had a period of time where some truly bad things have occurred to see the forest for the trees when you’ve been down in it yourself. There is a lot of complicity on all sides that is being hidden where they think they can do so — and it’s up to us to push them to not only take it out and look at it in the sunshine, but to learn lessons from it as well.

That isn’t easy for anyone, but especially not for someone whose career depends on the public glare never really turning fully on them so that their warts don’t show as much as the other guy’s do. They have always had a “I’ll get your back, you get mine” mentality in Congress. We just try to make it harder for them to feel secure in it and instead realize their duty is to the public and not themselves.

But that’s not easy when you are fighting human nature’s tendency towards self-preservation, is it?

OMG. “Spray-on viagra?” Run fer the hills, ladies!

It’s amazing how these good little soldiers are unable to see that in Obama’s hands, Cheney’s powers could be a real threat to them…but it does require thought to realize this.

you have my sympathy. would you like Voinovichy to add to that cock-tail?

We had a slight freeze here Sunday night but I covered everything up as well. That had *better* be the last of the bloody cold snaps. ;)

We narrowly escaped a late frost this morning, so my pastures are continuing their wake-up. The foal is almost three months old now and wearing her blanket really did make her butt look big! The kids are on spring break and sleeping in, but our younger one did make a great pan of brownies last night.

Will do.

Thanks Christy.

Digg is open.

nah. I saved back a nice sturdy garden stake. amazing how useful they can be.

one of the funniest bits ever on Absolutely Fabulous involved a young hunk confusing it with breath spray – lmao !

I think this is a great symbol! Condoms for Cornyn! Condoms for Cheney! Condoms for Cheney! Alliterative Condoms. And what the hell?! Condoms for Bush. I’m serious!! This has great potential.

What baffles me more than anything is how often these good little soldiers resort to pulling out quotes from the Founders when the very unilateral, imperial, unquestioned powers they seek to promote are the self-same reasons that the Founders relied on the Magna Carta and other civil liberties documents in the American Revolution and the formation of our nation’s constitution.

That they cannot see that blows my mind. That they may be arguing their positions knowing this full well makes me beyond angry.

I hear ya. We had snow — SNOW! — the last couple of days. Ugh.

Do you suppose it works on spines?

awwww. you got me with that one. Give the lil’ foal a scritchin’ on her withers for me when ya’ get a chance. I’ll bet she’s cute. ;->

Adie, good luck with the downsizing caper. I can totally relate! I’m in the midst of major decision-making about that whole issue. Be well!!

If you’re referring to Congressional Democrats, I’m pretty sure they’re invertebrates.

That is amazing! My senators have those same names… The impression I get from calls I have made is that they think they are justified in the stances they take. Cornyn, in particular, appears to have no ability to think for himself…

Ah! Condoms for Coleman. D’ya think Target will wonder why folks all over the country are asking for condoms by the case?

Sorry, I can’t go along with the condoms and “protection” for these Dicks. Where’s Lorena Bobbit these days?

In Cornyn’s case, he’s been such an out front apologist for these policies — including writing a number of pieces for the National review talking about the awesomeness of the legal reasoning on torture, for example — that anyone or anything which calls that into question threatens his public image.

Hence, he feels perfectly justified in opposing both Koh and Johnsen to save his own reputation. Otherwise, his legal interpretation malarky would make him look a wee bit of a clown. Dontcha think?

Jim at 37 — Oh please, let’s not go there. Thanks.

Thanks for the good vibes!

I fear I’m driving my honey crazy, but so far we’ve been able to recycle almost everything, mostly to good homes where the stuff is needed. This is not a time to toss and waste. But that makes the task grueling at times. sigh.

The place where we’re heading has roped us into joining a “downsizing seminar” as speakers. Gack! All beleagured hubby can think to say so far is, “Don’t do what we did!”

hmmm. I think it’s nearly time to haul that nice roast out of the rapidly emptying freezer and spoil a certain fella…. He’s a sweetie. As are our “kids”, so we’ll make it, somehow…

have been using Coelenterates for years – actually love jellies, corals, and anemones, but rully . . .

no spine, no blood, no brain, no heart, and passes waste through it’s mouth

The Brenan Center? As a New Jersean… or New Jersey-ite or whatever, Justice Brenan made me proud and he did the State proud. And we have now put more justices on the Court!!! Alito. And Scalia was born in Trenton. What the hell happened?

No, no. Condoms protect those being screwed, yes? Sorry about this. I am really obsessing on it. But I am so loving the concept of the daily/weekly/monthly Golden Condom Award. What’s that you say? Hourly? Fine, then.

Sorry.

revolution evolution

What the hell happened?

BF: That would be an excellent title for a book concerning the last 3 decades.

It’s okay — I’m just trying to keep things on the not-so-violent side of the line. I got enough of that during my criminal trial days to last me a lifetime…SIGH.

where in general are you ? we are near Austin

will you be attending the Anti-Wealthfare Protests this Saturday ?

and after four hours or more? have you thot this thru carefully?

Why barbara!?! U lil’ scamp!

mebbe if we just hire a skunk and tell ‘em it’s t’other. hmmmm.

Good lord — that would need to be a multivolume series, wouldn’t it?

One of our family’s favorite expressions is, “What the hell, therefore?” Kind of captures the existentialist angst.

Christy, isn’t it time for the Dems, for some responsible journalists (oxymoron?) to point out what you’re saying here? That in the act of opposing Harold Koh, the insider Republics are underscoring their contempt for rule of law?

If I were a Dem strategist (heaven forefend), I would be working my ample arse off to divide the Republics into two basic camps: Those who are actually caring people who want America to be its best and those who are sweeping everyone right of center into the bitter, battling, contemptuous, dangerous, greed-fed ultra-partisanship. Underlying message to the former: “Do you really want these people to speak for you?”

There’s a shortage of spines on both sides of the political divide, and not just in Congress.

It’s prolly Spray Starch in a new (and far more expensive) package. *g*

G’Morning Christy and Firepups !

Bwahahaha …

Yes, it is. Which is why I’ve been writing about this all week — because I’m having trouble prodding that into being.

You’ve lost that loooooving feeeeeling… (YouTube)

Ahem. Sorry, couldn’t help myself.

“The abuses of the Bush years are still fresh in the public mind.”

And still in use in expanded version by the Obama administration. To think that Obama has any real intention of returning to the rule of law when tyrannical power provides him with the means to bulldoze opposition to his corporatist agenda is just plain foolish. He is not as hostile as Bush but make no mistake his agenda is the same: impoverish most Americans while enriching the wealthy.

((( Adie & Hubby )))

whatever it takes… there’s enough of us.

until $$$ “became too expensive”, I got pretty far twd collecting a shelf shelves full of the best of the books summarizing and commenting on the whole sordid times in which we live. It’s heartening in a way. If I look closely, I can imagine the good guys winning, eventually.

i know. pollyanna, but with a dash of roseannadana and dear Molly.

Well. It’s off to the recycling center with old busted appliances, cardboard & metal stuff. Anyone wanna come along? It almost passes for fun, especially if I bring up certain mental images as I toss heavy stuff into the metal bin.

Yeehaw. Carry on pups. It’s comforting to know you all are on the scent, hounding the badguys somethin’ fierce. I don’t think cornyn will ever figure out where all the nippin’s coming from. idiot. and don’t get me started on coleman…

HAHAHAHAHA. You are bad. I love that about you!

Hey fella! How you doin’? ;->

When will someone dare call it “obstruction of justice”?

TODAY! consider it done. I’ll post it with the rest of my display on my ancient lil’ Corolla wagon.

In the Senate, the rights of the minority have always been given special consideration.
In a republican form of governnment such as ours this is a privilege that has helped our country endure and for the most part, with the awful exception regarding race, has been a good thing.

With all privileges comes responsibility. Unfortunately, the GOP Senators have forgotten this basic principle. They are, in effect, abusing the privilege afforded the minority in the Senate to fundamantally change the basic construct of our government. The idea that 60 votes are needed to do damn near anything is nothing short than an assault on the Constitution and the democratic values it represents.

This is one of the most dangerous abuses of power in our nation’s history.

Marketing slogan should be, “You can’t start a fire without a spark” … Bruuuce !

Frizzzin’ !

Besides that, can’t complain. *g*

Please to file under shameless promotion, parent. Thankee kindly.
Gawleee that kid turned out good. Awwwww. *sniffle*

http://cantonsymphony.org/showcase/april19/orcutt

now if he just dudn’t starve…. gotta go gang….

ayeeee! look at that handsome, talented young man – I’d be proud too !

thankee kindly. But he’s also sweet, and tough, and kind, and liberal, and votes, and gets his friends to vote,……

hang in there, parents. it’s great and good fun to have your kids among your closest adult friends.

p. e. a. c. e.

He would probably whine real loud if we could get the MSM to begin stating point-blank that he and the Republican Party believe in torture….

I am just appalled that the idiot was re-elected in November…

That describes my experience when I once had to give a 7-hour long videotaped deposition. Two lawyers questioned me throughout and were snarky toward each other and tried every approach from smarmy to adversarial toward me. During every break, or time out, they would immediatly fall to friendly chat about mutual acquaintences and events, like gossipy teenagers. During one break, I had to lead the most adversarial out to the place where he could smoke. As we smoked, he chatted with me in the most friendly and natural way. Back in the deposition room, he was resumed sarcasm and trying to set traps for me. It was surrealistic.

See, this is my point. There is the Republic Party and then there are the Republicans. They are not necessarily one and the same. I am taking a wild flyer here and guessing that a fair number of real Republicans are feeling no small amount of shame about their party. And if the Dems knew jack about PR, we’d be reaching out to them. Not to convert them or bring them across the aisle. Chances are that’s not going to happen. Just to let them know we get that there are real human beings apart from all the sound and fury. Does that matter? Couldn’t hurt to try.

Christy,

it has been difficult for me to sit through this thread about Cheney’s author-itay with Professor Turley’s comments from last night swirling in my brain.

frankly, I thought of you and others so much more familiar with the Law than yours truly and how horrified you must have been upon grasping the breadth of Holder’s reach –

sovereign immunity ? when will we know if the Judge accepts this clearly constitutionally specious claim ?

Fresh posty goodness up top, gang…

To be honest, I haven’t even had time to watch the Turley clip, so it’s impossible for me to comment at this point. My dryer broke and I’ve been trying to get a repair guy to come over and fix it while writing posts and dealing with a conference call on top of everything else.

Been that kind of morning.

thanks for the response – and I already had a peek at the headline to your latest post – looks like I’ll find some solace there –

sorry ’bout your morning. hope there’s some sunshine yet in your day.

Between This and the hold on Tammy Duckworth’s nomination the Republican asshattery is definitely in full stride.

Lovely program, Adie.

The Poulenc trio is especially nice.

Yeah. The Poulenc’s my favorite too. They put a lot of grace and zing into it, so it’s quite the crowd pleaser. But then, so is the Mozart. ;->

Earlier on, I used to get the parental sweats when he’d compete here and there. Now, he’s at the top of his game, and we find ourselves just sitting back and enjoying the performance, knowing he can handle pretty much anything his career throws at him, except this nasty economy – if he could just find that B-I-G job, sigh. Meanwhile, he lives and most concerts are near enough that we can usually get to his performances. After trudging off to all those lessons…. it’s a real treat.

Am in the DFW area… Wish I was in Austin ;-)

I have had the same thoughts for a long time… There is GREAT shame about what is going on, but many people seem to be stuck in the “my party right or wrong” thought process. My family has been deeply involved in Republican politics in another state for years, and my father died last year upset about all that had been going on. I heard Dick Armey on a talk show here locally a couple of weeks ago, and he point-blank stated that George Bush had been a real disappointment.

There are some sensible people out there, but for the present — and until they get tired of being represented by the likes of Cornyn and Cheney — then they need to be a part of the problem…

Cheney’s power in Obama’s hands is no threat to the GOP as evidenced by the series of court manuevers re: state secrets and the apparent lack of will in the area of Koh and Johnsen.

I said this before the election but it bears repeating: Obama was put in place to “reform” Social Security for Wall Street. The fees associated with private retirement accounts and the amount brokers will be able to skim are phenomenal and are what the GOP has always banked on the keep Wall Street afloat. Well, that and laundering drug money.

Obama will perform his duties just as Clinton did for the powers that be. He will reluctantly (ahem) go along with reducing retirement benefits for younger workers while extending the retirement age thereby ensuring that people pay more into a system to work longer and receive less all the while watching their tax dollars being siphoned off by the richest people in the world.