Bully for Russ Feingold and his push for censure. There is no question in my mind that Bush is deserving of far more than mere censure (impeachment, conviction and removal from office would more nearly balance the lies and illegal activity), but in this era of political timidity and nearly zero accountability for the executive -- thanks to Republican expediency and a docile press and public -- I must cheer a man like Feingold for attempting to hold Bush accountable for his actions. We need to get in the streets like folks did about immigration reform to show him and the world that we support his efforts and do not approve of what our country has become under the Bush administration.

For any congressman to chide another about "trying to score political points" is hypocritical in the extreme. I can't watch hearings without breaking out in a rash as I see the esteemed gentleman from both sides of the aisle posture and prance for the cameras and congressional record.

Of course censure is a political statement...and about damn time someone made it. Thanks, Russ, wish I could vote for you.

jeff

Attaboy Sen Feingold. if the rest of the Dems would be equally courageous America and American democracy would survive.

...to stop putting his party ahead of his country.

"A few minutes later, Utah Sen. Orrin Hatch shot back ..."

- why the delay? Did someone have to wake him up?

Americans should be grateful to Republicans for doing them a favor and finally killing off that tired, old democracy. A nice new dictatorial monarchy is just what the country needs. After all, democracy was already more than two centuries old ... so last millennium.

It was really about time we traded in the old system for something more exciting. And what could be more exciting than finding someone as incompetent as Prince Phillip and making them not just King, but Commander-in-Chief and Chief Judge, Jury and Executioner too.

Republicans think it's grand! And why shouldn't they - they are the Grand Old Party after all, and what could be more grand than noblesse oblige au verso - instead of helping those less fortunate, they're helping themselves. What's truly remarkable is that they're actually lining their pockets faster than Dr. Fris diagnosed Terry Schiavo on TV -- faster than they're being indicted - talk about warp speed!

Remember, the troops are fighting for democracy over there so we don't have to have democracy over here. You're either with the King - oops, I mean the troops - or you're against them. Don't you understand that they're dying in the deserts of Iraq so our King can rule free here at home?

Freedom is on the march, fellow subjects. In fact, it's marching so fast it's marching right out of the country! Farewell, boring old American-style democracy. Hello, sexy new American monarchy!! Now, about the state religion ...

We pledge allegiance to the King ...

Were Senators Feingold and Leahy the only ones who did not wake up with a horse's head in their bed that morning? What is everyone afraid of? Do this!! The other Dems didn't show up, and the Republicans, whose minds were already made up, couldn't make a decent argument to defend this action. Senator Spector--the best of the Republicans--said there was no evidence of "bad faith." Where have they been?!! What color is the sky in their world?! I finished watching that hearing wishing I had bought Kool-Aid stock that morning, because the Republicans sure have been drinking a lot of it. As for the rest of them, I kept hearing Poppy Bush's voice saying, "Stop saying bad things about my boy!" Enablers!

P.S. I wouldn't be surprised if the whole immigration conversation was trumped up at this point in time just to draw attention away from this issue.

John Dean was trying to testify about Nixon not being above the law, but Graham was so busy shouting him down and showing how little he knew about Nixon that Dean could not speak.

Graham was shouting down and lecturing Dean, for pete's sake, on the events and legal issues of Nixon's violations. Graham kept saying Bush was different because there's a war going on. When Dean was trying to explain about Nixon's claim to national security because of Vietnam, Graham absolutely would never let him speak. Spector called Graham down once; it had no effect, and Spector folded as usual.

Graham insisted that Nixon ordered the break-in at the Watergate. Dean was trying to educate him that the national security issue was the break-in at Ellsberg's psychiatrist's office. Nixon claimed national sefurity because of the Pentagon Papers (dealing with Viernam) not for the Watergate break-in.

Maybe someone told Graham to prevent Dean from testifying since there are clear similarities between what Nixon did and what Bush is doing now.