Leahy Gains Ground for Truth and Reconciliation Panel

“If I was a cynic, I would say it was hypocritical, but being a kind, benevolent person, I’ll just call it forgetful.” - Patrick Leahy

The rising tide of angry voices calling for an investigation of the Bush Administration have pushed Sen. Pat Leahy (D-VT) to call for a Truth and Consequences Panel. In this Rachel Maddow interview, Leahy said it may not be a perfect way, but it may be the only way to get the truth out and to assure that future administrations will behave in a more transparent manner. Leahy, a former prosecutor, suggests that he would offer immunity from prosecution to those willing to testify to all that they knew, inferring that those who do not come forward or who fail to disclose everything are open game.

Leahy said that Republicans with whom he spoke said it would be terrible to investigate a former President’s Administration, that they would never do it. He quickly countered that Republicans had spent six years and tens to hundreds of millions of dollars to investigate the former President Clinton Administration. “If I was a cynic,” Leahy said, “I would say it was hypocritical, but being a kind, benevolent person, I’ll just call it forgetful.”

Democratic leaders, John Conyers and Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, said that they are open to the idea and would pursue prosecution if it is apparent that crimes were committed. Maddow suggests that there appears to be an emerging consensus amongst the Democratic leadership; whether it is an attempt to expose crimes or silence the disgrunteld public is yet to be seen.

Here is a petition launched by Leahy to gather signatures asking for the commission.

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Just Another Brick in the Wall of Underfunded Education

The Senate has moved along in shaping the stimulus bill which President Obama urged naysayers to accept in all due haste. However, getting those needed votes has required cuts coming mostly from budgeted school construction, teacher funding and higher education. More cuts to come. That said, a $15,000 tax credit for new home purchases proposed by Sen. Johnny Isakson (R-GA) remains in the measure.

Thanks for your continued subscription. If you have an insight or piece of news that seems to fit our blog, please feel free to contact us.

Just Another Brick in the Wall of Underfunded Education

The U.S. Senate has moved along in shaping the stimulus bill which President Obama urged naysayers to accept in all due haste. However, getting those needed votes has required cuts coming mostly from budgeted school construction, teacher funding and higher education. More cuts to come. That said, a $15,000 tax credit for new home purchases proposed by Sen. Johnny Isakson (R-GA) remains in the measure.

Just Another Brick in the Wall of Underfunded Education

The Senate has moved along in shaping the stimulus bill which President Obama urged naysayers to accept in all due haste. However, getting those needed votes has required cuts coming mostly from budgeted school construction, teacher funding and higher education. More cuts to come. That said, a $15,000 tax credit for new home purchases proposed by Sen. Johnny Isakson (R-GA) remains in the measure.

Eco-Savvy Storytellers watching the greening of politics.

Republicans Adjust Brand to Absorb Alienated Moderate Conservatives

Is Black the new Black?

When Barack Obama won the Presidential election, a shift occurred around the world. Suddenly, a black man attained the highest position of power in the United States and arguably the world. People across America said they had not believed that they would live to see the day when a “black man” would win the Presidency.

In response to President Obama’s surprising and effective campaign, delegates of the Republican National Committee selected former Maryland Lieutenant Governor Michael Steele as its new chairman, hoping to change its brand from that of extreme Limbaugh loving conservatives to that of minority embracing pro-economic moderates.

Former RNC Chairman Mike Duncan responded to the news by declaring, “Obviously the winds of change are blowing.” Duncan had hoped to have been re-elected.

“It’s time for something completely different,” Steele said at his acceptance speech. “We are going to bring this party to every corner, every board room, every neighborhood, every community, and we are going to say to friend and foe alike, we want you to be a part of us. We want you to work with us. And for those of you who want to obstruct, get ready to get knocked over.”

“The RNC isn’t diverse yet,” said CBS News chief political consultant Marc Ambinder. “When people speak of broadening the party’s geographic diversity, they are speaking in code. They mean that the party needs to welcome more moderates; needs to be more forgiving of departures from orthodoxy; needs to be less antagonistic to pro-choicers and gays.”

Eco-Savvy Storytellers watching the greening of politics.

Republicans Adjust Brand to Absorb Alienated Moderate Conservatives

Is Black the new Black?

When Barack Obama won the Presidential election, a shift occurred around the world. Suddenly, a black man attained the highest position of power in the United States and arguably the world. People across America said they had not believed that they would live to see the day when a “black man” would win the Presidency.

In response to President Obama’s surprising and effective campaign, delegates of the Republican National Committee selected former Maryland Lieutenant Governor Michael Steele as its new chairman, hoping to change its brand from that of extreme Limbaugh loving conservatives to that of minority embracing pro-economic moderates.

Former RNC Chairman Mike Duncan responded to the news by declaring, “Obviously the winds of change are blowing.” Duncan had hoped to have been re-elected.

“It’s time for something completely different,” Steele said at his acceptance speech. “We are going to bring this party to every corner, every board room, every neighborhood, every community, and we are going to say to friend and foe alike, we want you to be a part of us. We want you to work with us. And for those of you who want to obstruct, get ready to get knocked over.”

“The RNC isn’t diverse yet,” said CBS News chief political consultant Marc Ambinder. “When people speak of broadening the party’s geographic diversity, they are speaking in code. They mean that the party needs to welcome more moderates; needs to be more forgiving of departures from orthodoxy; needs to be less antagonistic to pro-choicers and gays.”

Thanks for your continued subscription. If you have an insight or piece of news that seems to fit our blog, please feel free to contact us.

Republicans Adjust Brand to Absorb Alienated Moderate Conservatives

Is Black the new Black?

When Barack Obama won the Presidential election, a shift occurred around the world. Suddenly, a black man attained the highest position of power in the United States and arguably the world. People across America said they had not believed that they would live to see the day when a “black man” would win the Presidency.

In response to President Obama’s surprising and effective campaign, delegates of the Republican National Committee selected former Maryland Lieutenant Governor Michael Steele as its new chairman, hoping to change its brand from that of extreme white-loving Limbaugh loving conservatives to that of minority embracing pro-economic moderates.

Former RNC Chairman Mike Duncan responded to the news by declaring, “Obviously the winds of change are blowing.” Duncan had hoped to have been re-elected.

“It’s time for something completely different,” Steele said at his acceptance speech. “We are going to bring this party to every corner, every board room, every neighborhood, every community, and we are going to say to friend and foe alike, we want to be a part of us. We want you to work with us. And for those of you who want to obstruct, get ready to get knocked over.”

“The RNC isn’t diverse yet,” said CBS News chief political consultant Marc Ambinder. “When people speak of broadening the party’s geographic diversity, they are speaking in code. They mean that the party needs to welcome more moderates; needs to be more forgiving of departures from orthodoxy; needs to be less antagonistic to pro-choicers and gays.”

Republicans Adjust Brand to Absorb Alienated Moderate Conservatives

Is Black the new Black?

When Barack Obama won the Presidential election, a shift occurred around the world. Suddenly, a black man attained the highest position of power in the United States and arguably the world. People across America said they had not believed that they would live to see the day when a “black man” would win the Presidency.

In response to President Obama’s surprising and effective campaign, delegates of the Republican National Committee selected former Maryland Lieutenant Governor Michael Steele as its new chairman, hoping to change its brand from that of extreme Limbaugh loving conservatives to that of minority embracing pro-economic moderates.

Former RNC Chairman Mike Duncan responded to the news by declaring, “Obviously the winds of change are blowing.” Duncan had hoped to have been re-elected.

“It’s time for something completely different,” Steele said at his acceptance speech. “We are going to bring this party to every corner, every board room, every neighborhood, every community, and we are going to say to friend and foe alike, we want you to be a part of us. We want you to work with us. And for those of you who want to obstruct, get ready to get knocked over.”

“The RNC isn’t diverse yet,” said CBS News chief political consultant Marc Ambinder. “When people speak of broadening the party’s geographic diversity, they are speaking in code. They mean that the party needs to welcome more moderates; needs to be more forgiving of departures from orthodoxy; needs to be less antagonistic to pro-choicers and gays.”

Eco-Savvy Storytellers watching the greening of politics.

Greenwald Discusses Potential of Bush Prosecution for Crimes with Scott Horton

Glenn Greenwald interviews writer Scott Horton who recently released an article in Harper’s Magazine entitled “Justice After Bush: Prosecuting an Outlaw Administration” in this podcast.

Naysayers to the prosecution of Bush and others from the executive branch argue that it is not uncommon for Presidents to break the law and that prosecuting the President fuels a vindictive partisan retaliation unbeneficial to the progress of the next administration. However, Horton argues that the collective attitude of disregard by the Bush Administration of criminal law requires investigation.

While President Bush might be able to issue a pardon to himself and others, it does not free him from prosecution as the nature of war crimes is international. Horton suggests that the Department of Justice is too entangled with these crimes and the Attorney General must appoint an independent commission of inquiry with authority to claim the withheld documents and subpoena testimony from the witnesses. In this way, the new administration may avoid the semblance and deed of a politically motivated prosecution. A strategic sequencing of investigation and exposure of evidence must be made to build public support.

Greenwald Discusses Potential of Bush Prosecution for Crimes with Scott Horton

Glenn Greenwald interviews writer Scott Horton who recently released an article in Harper’s Magazine entitled “Justice After Bush: Prosecuting an Outlaw Administration” in this podcast.

Naysayers to the prosecution of Bush and others from the executive branch argue that it is not uncommon for Presidents to break the law and that prosecuting the President fuels a vindictive partisan retaliation unbeneficial to the progress of the next administration. However, Horton argues that the collective attitude of disregard by the Bush Administration of criminal law requires investigation.

While President Bush might be able to issue a pardon to himself and others, it does not free him from prosecution as the nature of war crimes is international. Horton suggests that the Department of Justice is too entangled with these crimes and the Attorney General must appoint an independent commission of inquiry with authority to claim the withheld documents and subpoena testimony from the witnesses. In this way, the new administration may avoid the semblance and deed of a politically motivated prosecution. A strategic sequencing of investigation and exposure of evidence must be made to build public support.

Eco-Savvy Storytellers watching the greening of politics.