As Green as a Neocon: Why Iraq hawks are driving Priuses.
Yeah, so remember when those crazy radicals (like myself) were saying this war was all about getting Iraqi oil. Well, it appears some top neocons have become enviromentally aware for geopolitical reasons, forming a nice alliance of war hawks and environmentalists: http://slate.msn.com/id/2112608/
Granted, we could have seen this coming, but at least some environmentalists are embracing this new alliance rather than running. In general, the Democratic party has become very reactionary at this point, simply taking "protest" stances to demonstrate they are still a party -- but there are a few issues out there where the Dems could take a lead and press an agenda, although it wouldn't be on our traditional issues.
First, pushing environmental issues like the one in the article.
Second - instead of just making the administration squirm over the upcoming $80B. hearing, the Dems should specially request a certain percentage - say 10 percent - go directly to troop healthcare and support upon retruning from Iraq (increase in GI bill, for instance). Hey, we can still be tough on defense and support our troops with the best of Reps. In fact, we will be showing true support for our troops and those who make the ultimate sacrafice (by increasing the death benefit) and those injured.
Three - embrace social security reform. As Dave pointed out, the Dems should be calling for higher benefits, especially have Rep. Thomas opened up the discussion on Sunday of altering benefits based upon race. Unless I' m missing something, I believe that would mean traditionally Democratic groups (read: minorities) would get benefits earlier. We should not be running from this.
Now, I suppose I do like to see the Dems waste our time by slowing up the nomination process - just because I like to see top officials actually get tough questions, but it really doesn't serve much of a purpose. It would have been better if we could have had Rice say on record that she supports energy conservation in order to reduce geopolitical conflict.
So, Ryan, let's go get a Prius. You in?
Shanan
5 Comments:
A random walk-
What the hell---this bothers me:
http://www.wral.com/news/4126577/detail.html
John Stewart's pearl of wisdom-
The Democratic Party’s new motto: "A moment of resistance, a lifetime of capitulation."
-in response to J. Kerry questioning Rice harshly and then admitting in open session that she would be confirmed anyway.
The Rice hearings in general:
Is anyone else upset that congress debated this in open session for 9 hours? What a waste of our time and money, debate issues and not individuals. If you want to take a stand on an issue, do it. Don’t attack someone that will need to speak on behalf of the country in a few weeks for no reason. This was straight up grandstanding; time to mug in front of the camera. My advice to them is to do what their parents did; get a job. I am starting to really grasp the concept of part-time legislators- at least they have some concept of reality and less time to speak to hear the sound of their own voice.
This post has been removed by a blog administrator.
Come on, Barbara Boxer was right -- Connie Rice was complicit in the Bush Administration's making its bogus "case" for going to war with/in Iraq. She was and is incapable of admitting that the Administration either purposefully or unwittingly lied to the American people about Hussein's terrorist ties, ability to build and deploy WMD, and the immediacy of threat from his regime. It's not that difficult to admit it, especially in light of the Administration's burgeoning crusade for "democracy" -- and apparently against "tyranny" -- around the world.
Yeah, I agree with you Sean -- but my point is basically that we (Dems)should be pushing issues onto the agenda during this opportunity for high-profile questioning. Clue's right - we are grandstanding because the Dems right now will actually get camera time. Why not use it to bring up new issues that will be play out in Congress in this terms?
Then again, I may just be falling into the current Democratic mindset of "Well, we losing, whatever we say doesn't seem to stop them anyway, even if they are outright lying, so why fight?"
Wow. I wonder what Clay posted that had to be removed.
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