IWR News

Iraq Body Count: 12/25/08
Americans Killed: 4216
Americans Wounded: 70,000
http://icasualties.org/
Iraqis Killed: 1,000,000+
http://www.thelancet.com
“…a small price…” Rep. John Boehner
----------------------------
Latest Confirmed Casualties:

*Cpl. Aaron M. Allen, 24, of Buellton, CA died Nov. 14 in Anbar province, Iraq.

*Gunnery Sgt. Marcelo R. Velasco, 40, of Miami, FL died Nov. 19 in Anbar province, Iraq.

*Pvt. Charles Yi Barnett, 19, of Bel Air, MD died on Nov. 20 in Tallil, Iraq.

*Sgt 1st Class Miguel A. Wilson, 36, of Bonham, TX died Nov. 21 in Abu Sayf, Iraq.

*1st Lt. William K. Jernigan, 35, of Doraville, GA died Nov. 24 in Baqubah, Iraq.

*Capt. Warren A. Frank, 26, of Cincinnati, OH died Nov. 25 in Ninewa province, Iraq.

*Master Sgt. Anthony Davis, 43, of Deerfield, FL died Nov. 25 in Baaj, Iraq.

*Sgt. John J. Savage, 26, of Weatherford, TX died Dec. 4 in Mosul, Iraq

*Staff Sgt. Solomon T. Sam, 31, of Majuro, Marshall Islands died Dec. 4 in Mosul, Iraq.

*Staff Sgt. Jonathan W. Dean, 25, of Henagar, AL died Dec. 20, in Bayji, Iraq.

*Pfc. Coleman W. Hinkefent, 19, of Coweta, OK died Dec. 20, 2008 in Hamburg, Germany.

*Lance Cpl. Thomas Reilly Jr., 19, of London, KY died Dec. 21 in Anbar province, Iraq.


Peace,
Chad (The Left) Shue

IWR News

Iraq Body Count: 11/18/08
Americans Killed: 4201
Americans Wounded: 50,000
http://icasualties.org/
Iraqis Killed: 1,000,000+
http://www.thelancet.com
“…a small price…” Rep. John Boehner
----------------------------

Latest Confirmed Casualties:

*Sgt. Scott J. Metcalf, 36, of Framingham, MA died Oct. 29, in Balad, Iraq.

*Pfc. Bradley S. Coleman, 24, of Martinsville, VA died Oct. 29 at Qayyarah Airfield, Iraq.

*Spc. Adam M. Wenger, 27, of Waterford, MI died Nov. 5 in Tunnis, Iraq.

*Pfc. Theron V. Hobbs, 22, of Albany, GA died Nov. 6 in Kirkuk, Iraq.

*Staff Sgt. Timothy H. Walker, 38, of Franklin, TN died Nov. 8 in Baghdad, Iraq.

*Spc. Armando A. De La Paz, 21, of Riverside, CA died Nov. 13 in Baghdad, Iraq.

*Spc. James M. Clay, 25, of Mountain Home, AR died Nov. 13 in Anbar Province, Iraq.

*Sgt. Jose Regalado, 23, of Los Angeles, CA died Nov. 12 in Mosul, Iraq.

*Spc. Corey M. Shea, 21, of Mansfield, MA died Nov. 12 in Mosul, Iraq.

*Chief Warrant Officer Donald V. Clark, 37, of Memphis, TN died Nov. 15 in Mosul, Iraq.

*Chief Warrant Officer Christian P. Humphrey,28, of Fallon, NV died Nov. 15 in Mosul, Iraq.


Peace,
Chad (The Left) Shue

Senate Issues "Get Out of Jail Free Card" to Bush and Telecoms

I just felt a great disturbance in the force.

How are your civil liberties feeling today? If they feel a bit bruised you can thank the members of the United States Senate. Once again, as they have on countless occasions in the past seven years, the “elite 100” have done their duty to serve the Executive. By a 69 to 28 vote the Senate voted to grant the Bush Administration another free pass on their efforts to spy on American citizens with complete impunity. Oh and it doesn’t stop with Bush and Company. The just passed FISA Compromise Capitulation comes with immunity from prosecution for any telecom that cooperated with the Bush Administration by turning over records and facilitating access to customer phone and data lines.

While this bill should never have come to the floor for a vote if there any such thing as leadership in the Democratic Senate Majority, there were some on the Democratic side who stood for the principle that the Constitution should be served above all else. And so, for those who are interested, here are the names of those 27 Democrats (plus Independent, Bernie Sanders) who sided with the Constitution :

Akaka (D-HI)
Biden (D-DE)
Bingaman (D-NM)
Boxer (D-CA)
Brown (D-OH)
Byrd (D-WV)
Cantwell (D-WA)
Cardin (D-MD)
Clinton (D-NY)
Dodd (D-CT)
Dorgan (D-ND)
Durbin (D-IL)
Feingold (D-WI)
Harkin (D-IA)
Kerry (D-MA)
Klobuchar (D-MN)
Lautenberg (D-NJ)
Leahy (D-VT)
Levin (D-MI)
Menendez (D-NJ)
Murray (D-WA)
Reed (D-RI)
Reid (D-NV)
Sanders (I-VT)
Schumer (D-NY)
Stabenow (D-MI)
Tester (D-MT)
Wyden (D-OR)

And those 21 who chose tyranny:

Baucus (D-MT)
Bayh (D-IN)
Carper (D-DE)
Casey (D-PA)
Conrad (D-ND)
Feinstein (D-CA)
Inouye (D-HI)
Johnson (D-SD)
Kohl (D-WI)
Landrieu (D-LA)
Lincoln (D-AR)
McCaskill (D-MO)
Mikulski (D-MD)
Nelson (D-FL)
Nelson (D-NE)
Obama (D-IL)
Pryor (D-AR)
Rockefeller (D-WV)
Salazar (D-CO)
Webb (D-VA)
Whitehouse (D-RI)

[ADDENDUM - 7/10/08]

h/t Mock Paper Scissors via Crooks and Liars dot com

Peace,
Chad (The Left) Shue

The Continuing Saga of "The Emergency Suppplemental"

What a mixed bag to come out of the US Senate yesterday. In a series of votes dealing with George Bush’s latest “Emergency Supplemental” for the continuing occupation of Iraq we saw a 2/3 majority vote to provide enhanced educational benefits for veterans, a super-majority vote down an amendment to set a timeline for withdrawal and prohibit permanent bases in that country, and another super-majority approve the “standard blank check” we’ve grown accustomed to from this crowd.

Of note (for me, anyway) is where my two Senators, Cantwell and Murray, voted on each of these amendments; and, of course, where the presidential candidates came down on these votes. Sen. John McSame couldn’t break himself away from a fundraising event to report to his “day job.” Therefore, he did not vote on any of the amendments.

First to the amendment approving billions in funding for a broad array of domestic programs, including increases in GI education funding, extension of unemployment benefits, levee construction in New Orleans, and more. On this amendment both Cantwell and Murray voted “Aye”; as did Senators Clinton and Obama. The amendment passed, 75-22.

On the amendment which included a withdrawal timeline, troop readiness requirements, no permanent bases and no torture, again Cantwell and Murray voted “Aye” while Clinton and Obama both vote “No” (That’s right, both Democratic candidates for President voted against the amendment establishing a timed withdrawal from Iraq) The amendment failed, 34-63.

Finally, on the amendment to award Bush and his contractor buddies $165.4 BILLION for the continuing occupation of Iraq, Cantwell and Murray voted “No” (are you reading this Rick Larsen?) as did Sen. Clinton. Sen. Obama DIDN’T VOTE!? In the end, the amendment passed, 70-26.

With as much railing as I have done against my two senators over their “Iraq votes”, I have to say that I am pleased to see them finally voting together on the side of the majority of their constituents. As for those who would be the nominee of the Democratic Party, I have to say that they are simply keeping the waters muddied. Senators Clinton and Obama, with these votes (non-vote) are saying, while it may be fine to campaign on a platform of troop withdrawal, no permanent bases, adequate rest for the troops, etc. they are not willing to put their votes where their mouths are. YET, Senator Clinton is willing to vote to cut off funding for the occupation. And what’s with Obama’s “Not Voting” on that portion of the bill?

Because the US House voted down the Iraq funding portion of this “supplemental” there will need to be another vote in that chamber (I guess, after Memorial Day) to reconcile the two versions of the bill before it goes to Bush’s desk. Ironically, Bush is expected to veto the final bill due to the added spending on the GI Bill and the domestic spending items. With what I have come to expect from this Congress, I am guessing that, in the end, Bush will have his way so as to not distract from the presidential campaign.

All the while, people continue to die for a lie.

Peace,
Chad (The Left) Shue