Chuck's Senate-By Marc Ash-Congress, the Democrats and the Nation be damned.

Chuck's Senate
By Marc Ash
t r u t h o u t | Perspective

Wednesday 07 November 2007

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In his Op-Ed, Schumer spelled out numerous reasons for his decision. He appears to argue that Mukasey can help to turn around and repair a Department of Justice badly damaged by Bush's last two picks: John Ashcroft and Alberto Gonzales. All this would be possible, in Schumer's view, due to Mukasey's independence from George W. Bush, and his professionalism. Mukasey's testimony, of course, clearly indicated he was - as is always a prerequisite for Bush appointees - first a guardian of Mr. Bush's interests, and perhaps after that a guardian of the nation's interests. Make no mistake. Michael Mukasey will serve at the pleasure of the president.

When Mukasey says that he will enforce a law banning waterboarding, "if Congress passes one," he is saying several things: a) That torture does not exist. Because if waterboarding is not torture, then nothing is. b) That torture is not currently illegal under US law, or that each act of violence against a detainee has to be specifically deemed to be illegal, whichever you prefer. c) That no one in Mr. Bush's entourage can be held responsible legally for authorizing acts of torture, which is what international law, and the Geneva Conventions - to which the United States is a signatory - require. d) That both he and Mr. Bush are supremely confident that Congress would never dare to pass legislation confirming that torture is illegal under US law.

This is a darker day still. In addition to personally making the decision that Michael Mukasey would be confirmed, Schumer now leads Congress by proxy to ratify torture as legal under US law, by virtue of its inaction. Game, set, match: Bush, Mukasey and Schumer.

One reason that Republicans can get away with whatever they like is that, in the end, they always stick together. Some call it lockstep, others call it goose step, but whatever you call it, they don't break ranks. Democrats do - regardless of the consequences. In this case, Mr. Schumer played the role of the powerbroker fatale. It was Schumer who assured the White House that, if nominated, Mukasey would be confirmed. So Schumer promised, and so he delivered.

Congress, the Democrats and the Nation be damned.

more at:
http://www.truthout.org/docs_2006/110707J.shtml

and the powerful Dems that are part of it.

Wish away the truth all you want, Dems, but until we start facing facts about some of the most powerful names in our party there is no hope to even stem the tide of the fascist agenda.

he is associated with the neocon and AIPAC power structure which encompasses both parties these days.

what I don't understand is how Schumer became so powerful. I think he wields more power than Kerry or Kennedy or Leahy. I'm not sure how that came about.

When Schumer was fighting against the Alito filibuster, why was he so entrenched in that position and direct so much anger and bad press at Kerry?

Why did someone from Schumer's staff set up the heyjohn website in late October 2006 to distort Kerry's share of work and donations that were going to Dem candidates?


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dk1k0nUWEQg


I know you're more of a skeptic than I am, but, I just don't believe in coincidence theory when it comes to this level of politics.

Republicans do not always stick together, voinivich voted against bolton is a good example. But he did not do it to reach across the isle. These guys have their own agenda and it is both parties. although I am leaning edwards, very few have the balls of kucinich, he is for the country. He should stop talking about ufo's because people won't take him seriously.