Comments on: House passes non-binding resolution; escalation accelerates http://bluemassgroup.com/2007/02/house-passes-non-binding-resolution-escalation-accelerates/ Reality-based commentary on politics and policy in Massachusetts and around the nation Wed, 22 May 2013 23:58:56 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.2 By: laurel http://bluemassgroup.com/2007/02/house-passes-non-binding-resolution-escalation-accelerates/#comment-53403 laurel Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.bluemassgroup.com/diary/6335/#comment-53403 <p>This was a worthy first step.  If it gets through the Senate (or even a near miss?), it should bolster further, substantive efforts to begin the end of the occupation (isn't Edwards campaign slogan: "Tomorrows occupation termination begins today", or am I just dreaming? :)</p> This was a worthy first step.  If it gets through the Senate (or even a near miss?), it should bolster further, substantive efforts to begin the end of the occupation (isn’t Edwards campaign slogan: “Tomorrows occupation termination begins today”, or am I just dreaming? :)

]]> By: bob-neer http://bluemassgroup.com/2007/02/house-passes-non-binding-resolution-escalation-accelerates/#comment-53404 bob-neer Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.bluemassgroup.com/diary/6335/#comment-53404 <p>If the Democrats really though ending the war in Iraq was important they'd vote for a binding resolution. Those are out there, as some BMGers have noted. Better than nothing, I agree, but built fundamentally on political cowardice.</p> If the Democrats really though ending the war in Iraq was important they’d vote for a binding resolution. Those are out there, as some BMGers have noted. Better than nothing, I agree, but built fundamentally on political cowardice.

]]> By: lightiris http://bluemassgroup.com/2007/02/house-passes-non-binding-resolution-escalation-accelerates/#comment-53405 lightiris Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.bluemassgroup.com/diary/6335/#comment-53405 <p>should be flooded with calls and mail.  Their vote is inexcusable.  Ugh.</p> <p><</p> <p>p> This is how desperate the military is getting.  Our teacher mailboxes are right in the front office at school where the public waits for whatever it needs.  Weird design in a new building, but there it is.  (You come in, there's a front desk like a physician's office with three secretaries on the other side, and our boxes on the far wall.)  Sometime yesterday afternoon, a recruiter came in and put flyers into each one of the mailboxes (without administration's permission or sanction) asking for 15 minutes of class time to make a pitch.  I probably don't have to elaborate on the rest.  Naturally, they were all properly circular filed.  As mandated by NLCB, our school provides time during lunch for recruiters to set up their propaganda table, so it's not like they don't have their mandated access.</p> <p><</p> <p>p> Needless to say, we had a very feisty conversation in Peace Literature today.  Bastards.</p> should be flooded with calls and mail.  Their vote is inexcusable.  Ugh.

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This is how desperate the military is getting.  Our teacher mailboxes are right in the front office at school where the public waits for whatever it needs.  Weird design in a new building, but there it is.  (You come in, there’s a front desk like a physician’s office with three secretaries on the other side, and our boxes on the far wall.)  Sometime yesterday afternoon, a recruiter came in and put flyers into each one of the mailboxes (without administration’s permission or sanction) asking for 15 minutes of class time to make a pitch.  I probably don’t have to elaborate on the rest.  Naturally, they were all properly circular filed.  As mandated by NLCB, our school provides time during lunch for recruiters to set up their propaganda table, so it’s not like they don’t have their mandated access.

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Needless to say, we had a very feisty conversation in Peace Literature today.  Bastards.

]]> By: laurel http://bluemassgroup.com/2007/02/house-passes-non-binding-resolution-escalation-accelerates/#comment-53406 laurel Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.bluemassgroup.com/diary/6335/#comment-53406 <p>might be.  or it might be that this work must happen in several steps.  i'm willing to give them the benefit of the doubt, as long as there is consistant forward movement of increasing solidity.  but i won't <a href="http://www.sbcbaptistpress.org/bpnews.asp?ID=24927" rel="nofollow">wait forever</a>.</p> might be.  or it might be that this work must happen in several steps.  i’m willing to give them the benefit of the doubt, as long as there is consistant forward movement of increasing solidity.  but i won’t wait forever.

]]> By: laurel http://bluemassgroup.com/2007/02/house-passes-non-binding-resolution-escalation-accelerates/#comment-53407 laurel Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.bluemassgroup.com/diary/6335/#comment-53407 <p>just got called back to active duty - after 20 years inactive.  i'm not saying he;s not ready, willing and able, but that if you gotta go after the old folks, you are indeed despirate.</p> just got called back to active duty – after 20 years inactive.  i’m not saying he;s not ready, willing and able, but that if you gotta go after the old folks, you are indeed despirate.

]]> By: lightiris http://bluemassgroup.com/2007/02/house-passes-non-binding-resolution-escalation-accelerates/#comment-53408 lightiris Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.bluemassgroup.com/diary/6335/#comment-53408 <p>I've been out since 1994.  Over my cold, dead body will they get me back in a uniform.  And you can take that to the bank. </p> I’ve been out since 1994.  Over my cold, dead body will they get me back in a uniform.  And you can take that to the bank. 

]]> By: laurel http://bluemassgroup.com/2007/02/house-passes-non-binding-resolution-escalation-accelerates/#comment-53409 laurel Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.bluemassgroup.com/diary/6335/#comment-53409 <p>i assumed he was nominally in the reserves or something.  can they just call back retired, former military folks like you, who havn't kept their hat in the ring?</p> i assumed he was nominally in the reserves or something.  can they just call back retired, former military folks like you, who havn’t kept their hat in the ring?

]]> By: lightiris http://bluemassgroup.com/2007/02/house-passes-non-binding-resolution-escalation-accelerates/#comment-53410 lightiris Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.bluemassgroup.com/diary/6335/#comment-53410 <p>Normally, no.  I imagine he was still active in Guard or Reserves, which makes him absolutely fair game.  They have, however, in desperation, sent out fishing letters to many prior service looking for anyone willing to sign up for the meat grinder.  My IRR (Inactive Ready Reserve) status expired in 1996--that IRR status is what folks seem to forget about once they discharge from active duty.  The military does, however, still "own" you during that period. </p> <p><</p> <p>p> In Duckworth's case, though, I'm betting her husband is still active Guard or Reserve status or IRR.  Bummer.</p> Normally, no.  I imagine he was still active in Guard or Reserves, which makes him absolutely fair game.  They have, however, in desperation, sent out fishing letters to many prior service looking for anyone willing to sign up for the meat grinder.  My IRR (Inactive Ready Reserve) status expired in 1996–that IRR status is what folks seem to forget about once they discharge from active duty.  The military does, however, still “own” you during that period. 

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In Duckworth’s case, though, I’m betting her husband is still active Guard or Reserve status or IRR.  Bummer.

]]> By: mademvoter http://bluemassgroup.com/2007/02/house-passes-non-binding-resolution-escalation-accelerates/#comment-53411 mademvoter Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.bluemassgroup.com/diary/6335/#comment-53411 <p>The Congress could easily prevent the president from sending the troops by passing a binding resolution. Instead, they are promising to fund the very surge they claim to oppose.</p> <p><</p> <p>p> My take is that there is only enough agreement to protest, but  not enough agreement in the Democratic caucus to actually act on that protest.</p> The Congress could easily prevent the president from sending the troops by passing a binding resolution. Instead, they are promising to fund the very surge they claim to oppose.

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My take is that there is only enough agreement to protest, but  not enough agreement in the Democratic caucus to actually act on that protest.

]]> By: laurel http://bluemassgroup.com/2007/02/house-passes-non-binding-resolution-escalation-accelerates/#comment-53412 laurel Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.bluemassgroup.com/diary/6335/#comment-53412 <p>i'm glad to hear it.  not just because of my opinion on this war, but because by your comments i'm guessing that you are an awesome teacher.  you are needed here!</p> i’m glad to hear it.  not just because of my opinion on this war, but because by your comments i’m guessing that you are an awesome teacher.  you are needed here!

]]> By: lightiris http://bluemassgroup.com/2007/02/house-passes-non-binding-resolution-escalation-accelerates/#comment-53413 lightiris Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.bluemassgroup.com/diary/6335/#comment-53413 <p>Thanks.  You made my day--except for the 11th-grade girl who  made me a Valentine with a candy heart I picked up off my classroom floor.  lol.  It was hilarious.  <i>"Wait, hey Donahue!  Didn't I just picked this up off the floor??"  "Yeah, don't eat it, Bazzie!"</i>  They're awesome.  I can't believe I get paid, to be truthful. </p> Thanks.  You made my day–except for the 11th-grade girl who  made me a Valentine with a candy heart I picked up off my classroom floor.  lol.  It was hilarious.  “Wait, hey Donahue!  Didn’t I just picked this up off the floor??”  “Yeah, don’t eat it, Bazzie!”  They’re awesome.  I can’t believe I get paid, to be truthful. 

]]> By: world-citizen http://bluemassgroup.com/2007/02/house-passes-non-binding-resolution-escalation-accelerates/#comment-53414 world-citizen Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.bluemassgroup.com/diary/6335/#comment-53414 <p>However, anything binding that comes out of Congress goes to the president for his or her signature.  And of course Bush would veto.  So it's not necessarily as easy as all that.</p> <p><</p> <p>p> As Laurel mentioned on another thread, Murtha is apparently planning to (re)write the Iraq appropriations bill in such a way as to tie the money to the specific policy directives of Congress.  That would address the veto problem: no passage, no money.  (Though open and outright lawbreaking by the administration wouldn't surprise me at this point.)</p> <p><</p> <p>p> Maybe this vote was intended to put pressure on the GOP caucus and to find out who was ready to break ranks--so that the leadership knows how to proceed with more substantive legislation.  That's the optimistic take, anyway.</p> However, anything binding that comes out of Congress goes to the president for his or her signature.  And of course Bush would veto.  So it’s not necessarily as easy as all that.

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As Laurel mentioned on another thread, Murtha is apparently planning to (re)write the Iraq appropriations bill in such a way as to tie the money to the specific policy directives of Congress.  That would address the veto problem: no passage, no money.  (Though open and outright lawbreaking by the administration wouldn’t surprise me at this point.)

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Maybe this vote was intended to put pressure on the GOP caucus and to find out who was ready to break ranks–so that the leadership knows how to proceed with more substantive legislation.  That’s the optimistic take, anyway.

]]> By: alice-in-florida http://bluemassgroup.com/2007/02/house-passes-non-binding-resolution-escalation-accelerates/#comment-53415 alice-in-florida Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.bluemassgroup.com/diary/6335/#comment-53415 <p>especially on a President who doesn't consider bills he signs into law to be binding on him?</p> especially on a President who doesn’t consider bills he signs into law to be binding on him?

]]> By: afertig http://bluemassgroup.com/2007/02/house-passes-non-binding-resolution-escalation-accelerates/#comment-53416 afertig Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.bluemassgroup.com/diary/6335/#comment-53416 By: raj http://bluemassgroup.com/2007/02/house-passes-non-binding-resolution-escalation-accelerates/#comment-53417 raj Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.bluemassgroup.com/diary/6335/#comment-53417 <p>...The current Assclown in Chief has 140+K American hostages--er, solders--in Iraq.  It is beyond the realm of possibility that the Democrats would shut off funding.  The Assclown in Chief would just leave the hostages there, and blame the Democrats as they are being gunned down by Iraqis.</p> <p><</p> <p>p> This isn't exactly the same situation as Vietnam in 1974-75, as I described here in another thread.</p> …The current Assclown in Chief has 140+K American hostages–er, solders–in Iraq.  It is beyond the realm of possibility that the Democrats would shut off funding.  The Assclown in Chief would just leave the hostages there, and blame the Democrats as they are being gunned down by Iraqis.

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This isn’t exactly the same situation as Vietnam in 1974-75, as I described here in another thread.

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