It is retribution when you're holding them accountable for what they say and what they believe. (It's also pretty un-American, and the kind of thing these same Democratic voices complain about when the Bush Administration does it.) Joe Lieberman, as much as I dislike him, has committed no crime. The only "wrong" he has done is to buck the political orthodoxy of the Democratic Party. When it's motivated solely by the desire for revenge and/or political gain, then the demand for "accountability" is indeed a demand for "retribution."

This is ridiculous. I can only hope to believe you aren't serious with those first two statements (and if you aren't, forgive my sorry sense of humor). Who said Lieberman committed a "crime"? Not me. This is a political matter and you have to be thoroughly stunted intellectually to fail to see how politics fundamentally operates. For example: a) a guy joins a party (say, the Democratic Party), takes funding and vocally proclaims said party's platform. b) same guy later rejects a), understandably loses the primary, then c) runs as an independent. d) this "independent," cognizant that he would wield no power in the Senate as an "independent," publicly proclaims that he'll caucus with his former party (because, don't you know, he wants to wield that above-mentioned power). e) for political reasons, the party in question (say, the Democratic party) welcomes him because they need his vote--a quid pro quo is established, again for political reasons. f) this "independent" then, for all sorts of reasons (read: Israel) tosses aside his caucus (which has presented him with committee chairs as a payoff for his participation), and campaigns for his caucus's opponent. g) opponent loses (let's say, a Republican). h) and now? Make the political calculation derived from voting numbers that became available last week (say, the election). You don't need to be Einstein, or Schweitzer, to draw the appropriate conclusion.

No one has sought to end Lieberman's life. No one has even sought to expel him from the Senate. Retribution? Nope. Reasonable political calculation? Yep.

while I'm in a state of fulmination, let me paste this from Glenn Greenwald:

This reveals much about the Beltway mentality. Politicians are not only permitted, but actually encouraged, even required, to scorn the Left. There's even an adoring term for that ("Sister Soljauh") which is almost unanimously considered a truly shrewd and honorable thing to do. By stark contrast, merely replacing someone in the position of a deeply influential Chairmanship who has strayed way too far to the Right and turned himself into a leading advocate for the most wretched policies is considered horribly divisive. To do that is a vindictive, partisan purge (on what planet is it improper for a political party to want to empower people who agree, rather than disagree, with its ostensible views?).

I am at rest now.

Until Democratic voters begin to demonstrate they are (1) educated, (2) informed, and (3) not driven by destructive emotions, then Congress should most definitely not give a damn what Democratic voters think.

This is supposed to be a goddamn democracy, where elected officials are responsive to those who elected them. A democracy isn't dependent on what you think constitutes "(1)educated, (2)informed, and (3) not driven by destructive emotions ...."

I return to rest.

So, this really might be the wrong week...to quit sniffing glue.

Awesome.

I've nearly exhausted myself over at the War Room regarding this, but I do have enough breath left to say to shooter, ... no, there must be a purge of the ideologically impure.

There must be a purge all right.

And what does your hero Obama have to say about it?

Insightful comment?

(deafening silence)

Obama is a political opportunist like the rest of them.....whether it's discriminating against gays, smearing Hillary and Bill as racist, or kissing Israel's ass.

Let me repeat, insightful comment?

(deafening silence)

you've been slaying me all night:

@-- Hell's Liberal: I'm not sure I think you can really be all that liberal. You seem quite anti-invertebrate...just what did those bi-valve mollusks doto you?

Fortunately, I have the same model Reynolds tinfoil hat as PDA and that has the power of resurrection.

are you the reincarnation of Albert Einstein?

I ask this in all seriousness. Because I'm drunk right now.

"If we had a pardon followed by something like a truth and reconciliation commission, that might not be such a bad outcome."

Sorry, but who would these criminals "reconcile" with? The dead? The tortured? The maimed? The now-insane? Please, suffice it to say these war criminals are going to get away with it because they can. As long as the United States isn't Rwanda, Congo, Serbia or any other nation that lacks geopolitical power, its "leaders" can commit crimes with impunity and answer to no one. This can be cloaked in all manner of legal/ethical/political niceties, but that one fact remains--the globally powerful can abuse the rest of humanity as they choose and they will never, never, be held to account.

Via an innately dim view of the human sole most likely.

You might not know this but my foot is very nearly, transcendentally, omnipotently, all-knowingly prescient as regards matters with Glenn. I think he might be my sole mate.

you really have my sympathy. Four inches of rain! I've got neighbors who also don't top their trees. Not that this is much benefit to you, but I wanted to offer my solidarity.