Is Still Around!
Vermont, cops await Bush
Washington Times - Washington,DC,USA
... the measure called for the Brattleboro police to "arrest and detain George Bush and Richard Cheney in Brattleboro if they are not duly impeached, ...
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Maybe he just doesn't like Ben and Jerry's. Or teddy bears. Or the best darn maple syrup on the planet.
Whatever the reason, President Bush has never visited Vermont. He's hit the other 49 states, including jetting 4,300 miles to Alaska four times. He's traipsed across enemy territory such as California (22 times) and Vermont's neighbor New Hampshire (13 times), but never once in his 2,875 days in office has he set foot in the Green Mountain State, which was once so Republican that FDR went 0-4 there.
Now, he's got just 46.5 days left in office, and a scant 50-minute flight aboard his personal 747 to allow him to check off that 50th state. So will he do it?
"I've heard some talk that he might be considering a trip here in the last couple of weeks of his presidency," said state Republican Party Chairman Rob Roper. "But we haven't been pushing one way or the other," said the typically laid-back Vermonter. The White House will neither confirm nor deny the claim.
Just what could Mr. Bush do if he popped up to Vermont for a day trip? "Avoid arrest," Mr. Roper said with a laugh. "He's welcome in most of the state, but not so much in Brattleboro."
Town indictment accuses Bush of war crimes
United Press International - USA
The measure calls for the town's police to ""arrest and detain George Bush and (Vice President) Richard Cheney in Brattleboro if they are not duly impeached ...
Bush and Rove Launch ‘Legacy’ Campaign to Rewrite History
Would someone impeach these people, please...
By Larry Gude
Dec. 4 (Bloomberg) -- Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson is considering a new plan to reduce mortgage rates in another bid to revive the US housing market, a government official said. The Treasury, which already has a program to buy ...
Southern Maryland Community Forums - http://forums.somd.com/
Impeachment for Christmas and Prosecution for New Year's
By davidswanson
read more.AfterDowningStreet.org - Convict... - http://www.afterdowningstreet.org/
New Nixon Tapes Released, and They Do Not Disappoint
By Digby, Hullabaloo
"I can't have a high-minded lawyer ... I want a son-of-a-b----. I want someone just as tough as I am." -- Nixon. Read more »
I love it when new Nixon tapes are released. So far, the excerpts I've seen have lived up to the usual expectations:
-- On July 1, 1971, Nixon instructs Chief of Staff H.R. Haldeman to have someone break into the Brookings Institution in Washington, D.C.:
"I can't have a high-minded lawyer ... I want a son-of-a-b----. I want someone just as tough as I am. ... We're up against an enemy, a conspiracy that will use any means. We are going to use any means... . Get it done. I want it done. I want the Brookings Institution cleaned out and have it cleaned out in a way that has somebody else take the blame."
-- On April 4, 1972, Nixon discusses the press with Haldeman:
NIXON: “Return the calls to those poor dumb bastards ... who I know are our friends. Now do it ... We made the same mistake [Dwight] Eisenhower made, but not as bad as Eisenhower made, because he sucked the Times too much ... G-d damn it, don't talk to them for a while. Will you enforce that now?'
HALDEMAN: "I'll try."
-- On May 18, 1972, Nixon talks to Henry Kissinger about the National Security Adviser's meeting with Ivy League college presidents regarding the war in Vietnam:
NIXON: "The Ivy League presidents? Why, I'll never let those sons-of-b------ in the White House again. Never, never, never. They're finished. The Ivy League schools are finished ... Henry, I would never have had them in. Don't do that again ... They came out against us when it was tough ... Don't ever go to an Ivy League school again, ever. Never, never, never."
-- On Nov. 14, 1972, Nixon talks with his aide Charles Colson about his landslide re-election victory over Democrat George McGovern:
NIXON: "What in the hell did you think of McGovern's statement on the election? Wasn't that the sour grapes crap again?”
COLSON: “Well, it's unbelievable, the arrogance of the guy ... God, what a bad man. Just awfully glad we got him buried and put away for good. I think he is.”
International Affairs : First Steps toward Restoring American Leadership: Legality Matters
Breaking Down Walls: Overcoming Institutional Barriers to Infrastructure Investment
A political consensus has developed in the U.S. that significantly increased spending on the nation’s aged infrastructure is necessary for America to remain prosperous. President-elect Barack Obama and the new congressional leadership have promised to push for major new investments in the nation’s transportation networks, water systems, broadband capabilities, electrical grid, and other public facilities. While supporting those investments, a new report from TCF makes clear that there are serious institutional barriers to the effective use of those funds that have to be overcome if we are to put the new dollars to use wisely. In this urgent report, the former executive director of The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, Anthony Shorris, identifies four major issues that need to be addressed to ensure that the nation gets the most bang for the vast infrastructure investments it needs to make. Download the report.
Official Secrecy and Unchecked Executive Power
On November 14, TCF and the World Policy Institute hosted this event which discussed the battle over the state secrets privilege, and the possibilities for reform. The expert panel included Emily Berman, Counsel and Katz Fellow, Liberty & National Security Project, at the Brennan Center for Justice, Melissa Goodman, staff attorney at ACLU's National Security Program, Liza Goitein, counsel to Senator Russ Feingold and TCF's Patrick Radden Keefe. The discussion related to “Reinventing Transparent Government,” a brief written by Patrick Radden Keefe for TCF. View video of the event here.
Absolute Power 
John P. MacKenzie, Century Foundation Press, 1/30/2008
The unitary executive theory argues that the president has virtually complete and total executive power that is unchecked by Congress or the courts. This controversial theory has been invoked repeatedly by the Bush administration in justification of its boldest actions, both at home and abroad. It is touted by its adherents as being the intent of the founders, even though it eliminates many checks and balances that long have been considered a mainstay of our system of government. How could such a powerful and influential theory have flown under the radar for so long, only to rise to such prominence? Is the unitary executive truly what the founders wanted? And what is the legacy of such a presidency?
In Absolute Power, John P. MacKenzie looks at the origins and history of the unitary executive theory, examining its broad claims of presidential power in the light of the founders’ original writings as well as the actions of Presidents Jackson, Lincoln, Franklin Roosevelt, and Truman, all of whom tested the power of their office against that of Congress and the Supreme Court.
Arguing that the theory is historically baseless and relies on a misreading of the Constitution and The Federalist Papers, MacKenzie raises troubling questions about the lasting legal consequences of a presidency endowed with almost monarchic power. Because future presidents must confront the same concerns of power and governance, he argues, candidates for the office must demonstrate that they understand the issues and are willing to live with shared power.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
John P. MacKenzie John P. MacKenzie has worked as a reporter for the Washington Post (1956–77), covering the Supreme Court, and as an editorial writer at the New York Times (1977–97) and has been a visiting professor and scholar at New York University's School of Law. He is the author of The Appearance of Justice (Scribners, 1974).
SELECTED REVIEWS
“The most dangerous power grab in recent American history is the Bush Administration’s theory of ‘the unitary executive,’ which claims the right to ignore Congress and the courts on crucial issues. Jack MacKenzie’s book is a devastating critique of the theory, which he rightly says has ‘no basis in history or coherent thought.’ For everyone who prizes our freedom, it is must reading.”—Anthony Lewis, author and former New York Times columnist
“This cogent, readable volume punctures the overblown rhetoric defending executive unilateralism in a time of terror. MacKenzie, a distinguished legal journalist, traces and demolishes the legal theory of the ‘unitary executive’ as incoherent, ahistorical, and subversive of a constitutional system based on checks and balances.” —Harold Hongju Koh, Dean, Yale Law School, and former Assistant Secretary of State for Human Rights
“MacKenzie does an excellent job in narrating the tortuous history of a deeply flawed idea. He renders the key players and the major ideas in sharp and illuminating detail. His account is necessary reading for statesmen and citizens alike.” —Aziz Huq, Director, Liberty and National Security Project, Brennan Center for Justice at NYU School of Law
“Crisply and bluntly, Jack MacKenzie explains the damage to constitutional government when we forsake checks and balances and entrust all to presidential decisions.” —Louis Fisher, author of Presidential War Power-
Morning Joe debunks claim that union autoworkers are "paid 70 bucks an hour"
Summary: Debunking the false claim, advanced by many in the media, that autoworkers employed by U.S. auto manufacturers receive $70 or more per hour in wages and benefits, Bob Shrum said on Morning Joethat "there's this one crazy statistic" that autoworkers are "paid 70 bucks an hour." Mike Barnicle added: "The $77 an hour thing is not true. It's the compilation of all the benefits." Joe Scarborough later stated, "[J]ust so everybody knows, when we talk about $77 or $45, we're not only talking about the money, the benefits, everything else, retirement, we're also talking about the money to -- the legacy costs of the existing retirees." More…
Automakers pitch Congress anew on rescue | By KEN THOMAS – 2 hours ago
WASHINGTON (AP) — Humbled U.S. automakers pleaded with Congress Thursday for an expanded $34 billion rescue package, but heard fresh skepticism in a bumpy encore appearance.
"We're here today because we made mistakes," General Motors chief executive Rick Wagoner told the Senate Banking Committee in prepared testimony.
The three executives made the trip in new-model autos made by their respective companies, two weeks after a botched attempt for aid that included harsh criticism of corporate leaders who flew here on private jets to beg for money.
Ahead of testifying before the Senate Banking Committee, Wagoner apologized for asking for the help from taxpayers. Speaking with reporters, he said, "We wish the market conditions were better. They're not."
Chrysler CEO Bob Nardelli said: "I can tell you in my 38 years in business, I've never attended a more important session where more is reliant upon both the House and the Senate."
Ford CEO Alan Mulally said in his prepared remarks that while his company isn't in as desperate straits as rivals GM and Chrysler, his company could still use a federal guarantee of some $9 billion "as a critical backstop."
"Our plan is working, but there is clearly more to do — something that is increasingly difficult in this tough economic climate," he said.
Sen. Richard Shelby of Alabama, the senior Republican on the panel, complained that the pricetag on the package had jumped since the trio last appeared just two weeks ago.
He pressed the automakers to explain why, and to justify how such aid would not simply "prop up a failed business model for a few months ... and how are you going to pay it back to the taxpayers?"
Banking Committee Chairman Chris Dodd, D-Conn., who supports helping the industry, said detailed plans submitted to Congress earlier this week by the three auto companies on how they would use low-cost federal loans to reorganize still left a lot of questions unanswered.
Still, Dodd said, the economic news has become even more bleak since the auto executives appeared before Congress in late November.
Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson has said that the $700 billion program is intended only to be used for the financial industry.
Gene L. Dodaro, the top official at Congress' watchdog agency — the Government Accountability Office — agreed with Dodd that the $700 billion package set up in October "is worded broadly enough" to permit it to be tapped for the automakers.
Dodaro testified that the Federal Reserve also has the authority under existing law to make loans to the domestic auto industry if it so chooses.
Dodd said that both Paulson and Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke had been invited to testify at Thursday's hearing, but had declined.
The Big Three are struggling to stay afloat during the longest economic downturn in at least a quarter century, a steep decline in sales and a tight credit market. The three burned through nearly $18 billion in cash reserves during the last quarter.
Chrysler said it needed $7 billion by year's end to keep operating. GM asked for an immediate $4 billion as the first installment of a $12 billion loan, plus a $6 billion line of credit to use if economic conditions deteriorate. Ford requested a $9 billion "standby line of credit" in case one of its Detroit competitors fails.
The bailout remains unpopular with the public. Sixty-one percent oppose providing the auto companies with billions in federal assistance, according to a CNN-Opinion Research Corp. poll released on Wednesday. Fifty-three percent said it would not help the country's economy.
Solar car completes 1st ever round-the-world trip
POZNAN, Poland (Map, News) - The first solar-powered car to travel around the world ended its journey at the U.N. climate talks Thursday, arriving with the message that clean technologies are available now to stop global warming.
The small two-seater, hauling a trailer of solar cells and carrying chief U.N. climate official Yvo de Boer, glided up to a building in Poznan, Poland, where delegates from some 190 nations are working toward a new treaty to control climate change.
"This is the first time in history that a solar-powered car has traveled all the way around the world without using a single drop of petrol," said Louis Palmer, the 36-year-old Swiss schoolteacher and adventurer who made the trip.
"These new technologies are ready," he said. "It's ecological, it's economical, it is absolutely reliable. We can stop global warning."
Palmer's appearance at the conference marked the end of a 32,000-mile (52,000-kilometer) journey that began 17 months ago in Lucerne, Switzerland and took him through 38 countries.
The car, which runs noiselessly, can travel up to 55 mph (90 kph) and covers 185 miles (300 kilometers) on a fully charged battery.
Palmer said he lost only two days to breakdowns during the journey.
"This car runs like a Swiss clock," he said.
He calls his vehicle, which was developed by scientists at Swiss universities, a "solar taxi" because he has given rides to about 1,000 people - officials and regular folk alike - to convince them of the technology's viability.
Passengers have included New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg and U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.
Delegates in Poznan are seeking an ambitious new climate treaty that would replace the Kyoto Protocol, which expires in 2012 and has required that 37 countries slash emissions of heat-trapping gases by an average 5 percent from 1990 levels.
The goal is for the new treaty to be finalized at the next U.N. climate meeting in December 2009 in Copenhagen, Denmark.
"Here at the conference, we are talking about reducing emissions by 10 or 20 percent," Palmer said. "I want to show that we can reduce emissions by 100 percent - and that's what we need for the future."
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Rove: We Wouldn't Have Invaded Iraq if We Knew the Truth About WMDs
By Sam Stein, Huffington Post
A remarkable admission that contradicts the past statements of his onetime boss.Read more »
Are you kidding me? | By Barbara Friedland
Still light years better than Bush/Cheney. If we had access to whatever Cheney has been doing the last two terms, I think citizens in our nation would be turned to stone.
Or continue to weep in abject sadness. ...
barbara friedland - http://barbarafriedland.typepad.com/barbarafriedland/
-'The End of America,' Liberty: Use It or Lose It
By Staff, AlterNet
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