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Politics : Politics for Pros- moderated -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: FaultLine who wrote (15660)	11/8/2003 11:49:22 PM
From: LindyBill	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 794387

I have reached the conclusion that SI has reduced the size of each post allowed by about two thirds. I am going to post a comment at the start where necessary, as much of the article as is needed to give the "flavor" of it, and a URL. I hope the rest of you follow suit. _________________________________________________ washingtonpost.com When Resolve Against Bush Melts Hill Usually Defers to Commander in Chief on Military Issues By Juliet Eilperin Washington Post Staff Writer Sunday, November 9, 2003; Page A08 In a seeming display of political independence, the Republican-controlled Senate defied President Bush in mid-October and voted to convert $10 billion of his proposed aid package to Iraq into a loan. Two weeks later, senators quietly converted the reconstruction money back into an outright grant, without so much as a roll call vote. Bush's victory underscored a fundamental dynamic of the Republican-controlled 108th Congress: The president virtually always prevails on military and national security issues, despite the public's deepening skepticism about U.S. policy in Iraq. Lawmakers may defy him on domestic issues directly affecting their constituents -- such as rules limiting overtime pay. But when the president bears down hard, especially on international matters, their defiance almost always melts. "You get, in effect, the equivalent of a French poodle that occasionally yaps at its master and bares its teeth, but if there's something of consequence to the administration, particularly when it comes to international affairs, it's going to back down," said Norman Ornstein, a congressional scholar at the American Enterprise Institute. In recent interviews, several senators said they felt they had no choice but to reverse course and approve the Iraq reconstruction money as a grant, given Bush's insistence that Iraq not be saddled with further debts. Sen. Sam Brownback (R-Kan.) said he still believes a loan "was the right way to go," but added: "The power of the veto is pretty substantial, particularly on something that's time-sensitive." During a White House meeting with senators, the president became visibly angry and pounded the table to make his case, participants said. "In the face of the president's very, very strong position, it seemed to me something Congress should yield on," said Sen. Arlen Specter (R-Pa.). REST AT washingtonpost.com

To: FaultLine who wrote (15660)	11/9/2003 4:09:53 AM
From: unclewest	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 794387

We need someone to judge when this story has enough problems to be declared "Unfit for Public Consumption" (Reagan-ized) and pulled from the network schedule... :o) OK. But let's not continue to use the young woman who was bed-ridden and severely traumatized with numerous broken bones and other injuries including amnesia as the judge. The press is attempting to play the song from her perspective...which is uninformed at best. The only part of her rescue that she knows much about is the trip from the room where she was held captive to Landstuhl and Walter Reed Hospitals. A successful, wounded hostage rescue deep in enemy territory during active armed conflict is a wonderful thing. Why doesn't the press acknowledge that? Why the attempt at a tactical critique? Are they that desperate for negativity? It has been kinda ridiculous to watch her and the media attempt to put the military down on this one. Jessica has no personal knowledge or training in hostage rescue in general or the elaborate techniques employed to rescue her. A more appropriate response from her would be a stream of thank you's. As a war veteran yourself, I hope you see through the nonsense being portrayed. Dozens (perhaps hundreds) of rescues were launched from the base where you worked. I recall no such treatment then either from those rescued or the press. uw

To: FaultLine who wrote (15660)	11/9/2003 3:03:05 PM
From: Neeka	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 794387

I think the media is making a mockery of the Armed services so far in this saga. Jessica Lynch is taking monetary advantage of a story she has, up to this point, tried to keep private. I wonder why she joined the service in the first place. And it amazes me that people are shocked that women are put in harms way. I don't know for sure, but I doubt that when women join the military they are told they will be exempt from front line service. The military is an equal opportunity employer, but they get a bad rap when a woman serviceperon is captured and raped during wartime. If the story is going to be told, let's hear the truth not some trumped up liberal Hollywood directors version. M