Help Restore Rail and Transit Security Funding

by Joe Biden, Fri Jul 15, 2005 at 11:43:32 AM EDT

Last week, London was shattered by terrorist bombings, which took the lives of more than 50 innocent people and seriously wounded hundreds more. It was a shocking reminder that our rail and transit systems are an attractive target to terrorists. Since 9/11, we've invested over $18 billion in aviation security, but less than $400 million in rail and transit security, despite the fact that millions more Americans ride the rails each day than fly.
I've been fighting for almost four years to make the necessary investments to secure the U.S. rail and transit systems. Finally, the Senate last year passed the Rail Security Act I wrote with Senator John McCain and others. Unfortunately, the Republican Leadership in the House of Representatives let our bill die. Likewise, the Bush Administration refused to seek the needed funding in its budget request to Congress this year.

On Thursday, Senate Republicans voted 55-43 to kill an amendment to the Homeland Security Appropriations bill that I sponsored with Senator Byrd and others to provide $1.365 billion for rail and transit security. In the face of the terrorist attacks targeting the London and Madrid rail and transit systems, this opposition to starting to secure our rail and transit systems is simply irresponsible.

This should not be a partisan issue. It is an American issue.

I urge you to contact your Senator and Congressman to urge them to vote to restore funding for rail and transit security at the upcoming House-Senate conference committee.

To do so, you can call the U.S. Capitol  switchboard at 202-225-3121, or sign the online petition at my PAC site, UniteOurStates.com

Whichever method you use, it is long past time to act on an issue so important to our national security.

Thank you for helping to make our country safer,

Joe Biden
U.S. Senate
www.UniteOurStates.com

For a comprehensive review of the state of our nation's rail security, you can also download my Senate report from October 2004. It includes our efforts to date to fund needed rail and tranist security, as well as what still needs to be done.

Tags: (all tags)

  • 71 Comments
  • 0 recs
  • Share
  • Permalink

Comments

71 Comments

Shadow_head_small
Senator
With all due respect.

I think you have a few things to figure out about who you stand with before you'll get much traction with the grassroots/netroots of the Democratic Party.

You have some supportes. You have many detractors. Please consider joining with and supporting the rest of the Democratic Party.

Sincerely,

Andrew C. White

by Andrew C White 2005-07-15 12:13PM | 0 recs
Shadow_head_small
Re: Senator
He doesn't stand with the GOP and that's enough for me. Don't forget "grassroots" doesn't necessarily translate as liberal base. I'm a moderate centrist and I'll take anyone this side of the aisle over a republican.

As for rail, I doubt Americans will support such initiatives. They love their gas guzzling SUVs too much.

I'm more for alternative fuels. How about pushing that initiative like JFK pushed the space program? We'd have a solution in no time.

by Vote Hillary 2008 2005-07-15 01:56PM | 0 recs
Shadow_head_small
Re: Senator
Disregard my comment regarding rail. I meant that about alternative transportation. I'm all for more funding for our homeland security initiatives.
by Vote Hillary 2008 2005-07-15 01:59PM | 0 recs
Shadow_head_small
Re: Senator
He doesn't stand with the GOP and that's enough for me.

Yes he does... more often than with is own... if that is your definition of "centrist" then some may differ and define this behavior as Republican.

by Parker 2005-07-15 02:26PM | 0 recs
Shadow_head_small
Re: Senator
Define "his own". And while you are making accusations of Biden's record, care to back that up with facts? Since you implied he mostly votes with republicans you should have plenty of examples. Let's see how many issues he voted on with the majority party vs with the minority party.

Some out on the Nader left would characterize anyone right of Kucinich as republican. Doesn't mean a damn thing does it?

by Vote Hillary 2008 2005-07-15 05:25PM | 0 recs
Shadow_head_small
Re: Senator
Full disclosure: I work for Senator Biden's PAC, UniteOurStates.com as Director of Online Communications. Last year, I served on the Wes Clark campaign in the same role.

Andrew
I appreciate the post. You should know that Senator Biden and his team are very aware that members of this community don't always agree with him on some positions.

But, heck, I don't agree with him on some positions. And, if you look at his Democratic record over the years, I think you'll find there are many issues that you can agree with him on. He's been one of the party's most vocal and articulate critics of the President's performance on Iraq. He's the author of the Violence Against Women Act (the reauthorization of which will be a big fight for us later this year), and he's been fighting for increased rail and transit security for years.

I think people are lucky if they can find elected officials with whom they can agree with on every issue, although I think this is increasingly rare. But the one thing we can agree on is that one of the most important responsibilities, if not THE most important responsibility of the federal government is to keep the nation safe. The funding of rail security, especially in light of the Madrid and London train attacks, is an issue that we all should get behind.

In any event, Chris and Jerome and others in the online political space have long advocated that elected officials go beyond Washington, DC and interact with Democrats everywhere. Some have done  it here, others at Kos, still others on their own blog. I think the Senator's diary today was a step to begin that process.

Eric
please note: the opinions expressed here are my own.

by ericcarbone 2005-07-15 04:01PM | 0 recs
Shadow_head_small
Re: Senator
In any event, Chris and Jerome and others in the online political space have long advocated that elected officials go beyond Washington, DC and interact with Democrats everywhere. Some have done it here, others at Kos, still others on their own blog. I think the Senator's diary today was a step to begin that process.

I think the problem here is that as a "step to begin that process" you chose to use this as forum to marshal support for one of the Senators agendas. I believe the netroot community very much wants to engage elected officials. This is quite obvious from the response people like Rep. Conyers, Sen. Kennedy, Rep Slaughter, Sen Boxer, Sen Feingold, Gov. Dean, Gen. Clark and many others have received.  Although not everyone agrees with all of their positions, that has not hampered their ability to reach out to the community. BUT, they did not come to the community to forward a personal agenda but rather to join in issues of common concern.  Some in fact have made our issues, their issues as Rep. Conyers did with the Downing Street Memo. I think that is the big difference that differentiates those politicians who will be able to utilize the power of the netroots community from those who will not.  

by IRAQFACT 2005-07-15 05:01PM | 0 recs
Shadow_head_small
Re: Senator
BUT, they did not come to the community to forward a personal agenda but rather to join in issues of common concern.

IRAQFACT,
What could be more of a common concern than the safety of our rail and transit systems, especially in light of the recent terrorist attack in London?

In another comment further down the page, even you say, "To be honest, your transportation security measure is probably a cause that many would get behind."

The conversation is just beginning. Let's not hold some elected officials to a higher standard than others who have posted here.

Eric

by ericcarbone 2005-07-15 05:42PM | 0 recs
Shadow_head_small
Re: Senator
As a New Yorker, I am well aware that the security of our transit systems is of the utmost importance. I am also very glad the Senator has chosen to make an appearance here.
I'm of the opinion though, that if he really wishes to engage this community in a serious manner, as others have, he might consider coming back at some other time to discuss the concerns that so many posted here about the bankruptcy legislation and corporate interests.  I think that would go a long way to making a good impression.

In the mean time; Welcome and I'm glad to see your presence here.

by IRAQFACT 2005-07-15 06:16PM | 0 recs
Shadow_head_small
Re: Senator
Let's not hold some elected officials to a higher standard than others who have posted here.

Respect is earned not given...

by Parker 2005-07-16 03:04AM | 0 recs
Shadow_head_small
Re: Senator
Eric,

Thank you. And please thank Senator Biden as well. I am in fact very much in favor of his (and your) participating here and other online venues. This is very healthy for our democracy and for our Democratic Party.

For the most part I think Senator Biden has a fine record and in general I consider him one of the good guys. My problems are not so much with right, left, or center, and I certainly do not consider him Republican, but rather with the issue of corporate interests vs. the interests of average citizens.

I work for a large, brand name, financial institution. I want the corporation (a multi-national) to do  well. I am in favor of legislation that promotes a healthy environment for corporations, large and small, and other businesses to do well. This is good for America, good for job creation, and good for citizens.

What I don't want is for it to be at the expense of the average citizen. Others have mentioned the bankruptcy bill and I think that serves as a prime example.

I am also deeply concerned about how corporate interests have taken such a firm hold on the political world. This is a serious problem and for me is more often now the dividing line between candidates I can support and candidates I cannot support. I do not require nor do I expect all candidates to agree with me on the issues. I do not expect or require all candidates to be as liberal as I am. I repect the opinions of people much more conservative than I. That is not a problem for me. The question is whether or not someone is on the side of the people or the side of the corporate, almost plutocratic interests.

I think Chairman Howard Dean acts as an excellent barometer of that. Not because of his positions, he is a moderate, but because of his populist message and his efforts to empower the citizens of this nation to take back their party and their government (our party and our government). Dr. Dean is doing an excellent job so far of rebuilding the party and he needs, deserves... and we the people require for him... every Democrats support. I do not expect the Senator to agree with him on every issue, that is not the point. I expect the Senator to support him, to air and settle his differences in private, and to figure out how to respond to the right wing and media baiting in a manner that turns the attack around on the real enemy and not allow himself to be cornered into and quoted as, not supporting the Chairman of the Democratic Party and therefore not supporting We the People of the Democratic Party.

Thank you again for your considerate response. I have not looked closely at the issue of rail security but as someone who periodically uses Amtrak to travel to NYC and other parts of the country I am certainly in favor of funding and doing what is necessary.

I hope that you will pass on these concerns to Senator Biden and I look forward to the opportunity for more discussion in the future and perhaps his addressing some of these concerns.

Peace,

Andrew C. White
Democracy for the Hudson-Mohawk Region Organizer
Stephentown (NY) Democratic Committee Chair
 

by Andrew C White 2005-07-15 05:45PM | 0 recs
Shadow_head_small
wow
i wish i could rate you a ten for that comment.

eric, i'll just second what andrew said.  we're glad you're here - hope you will take andrew's comments into consideration.

by annatopia 2005-07-16 06:23AM | 0 recs
Shadow_head_small
Re: wow
Thanks. I think it is important that we try to express as exactly as we can where the problems are and what it is we expect of our elected officials... especially in regard to disagreements... without engaging in vitriol. We can share the rants with each other :)

I am very pleased that we have a vehicle like the internet and specifically blogs to enable a two way conversation of this sort. And I heartily applaud all politicians (and their staffs) who make the effort to hold up their end of the conversation. It is indeed a sign of health in our national political dialogue.

Peace,

Andrew

by Andrew C White 2005-07-16 11:36AM | 0 recs
Shadow_head_small
Safety, at what cost?
While I, like everyone, want to feel secure, security comes at a cost.  We loose thousands of people on our highways each year, thousands die from lifestyle induced disease, hundreds in plane crashes, hundreds die from the flu, and I could go on and on of tons of way that early death comes unnecessarily. There are lots of things that kill us, and even if we had a London-like attack every year it would still be well at the bottom of the list. I am not saying that we should make security spending zero, but the fact is that even preserving life and security comes at a cost, and considering the actual risk and potential loss from a tranist related attack there are plenty of other worthwhile things to throw our money at.
by Freedom Fighter 2005-07-15 12:58PM | 0 recs
Shadow_head_small
"Lifestyle Induced Disease" ?
Like greed? Like Republicanism?

The greed disease, whatever it is that many of these people clearly have makes them blind..

But I don't mean the kind that optometrists try to treat..

by ultraworld 2005-07-15 09:45PM | 0 recs
Shadow_head_small
Re: Safety, at what cost?
there are plenty of other worthwhile things to throw our money at.

Like porkbarreling homeland security funds to sparsely populated states in the middle of the country, which also just happen to be mostly Republican.  Yeah, there are levels of risk, but the way that the Republican Party has handled even the simple process of actually securing our borders makes it clear that they're not serious about security unless it (a) can benefit them politically, or (b) allow them to look tough, benefitting them politically.  All the grunt level blocking and tackling, and reasonable levels of taxation to pay for it, is for chumps.

by paperwight 2005-07-16 12:43PM | 0 recs
Shadow_head_small
Senator, help restore bankruptcy protection for us
With all do respect, Senator - FIRST, you need to work on pulling that law you passed that prevents people from filing bankruptcy because of identity theft or medical bills, while making no changes to Chapter 11 business bankruptcies.

Why, by the way, did you vote against Sen. Kennedy's two proposed amendments to provide protection for debtors whose financial problems were caused by serious medical problems?

And why would you vote against Sen. Feingold's amendment to ensure that no elderly people in enough financial trouble to seek bankruptcy protection would LOSE THEIR HOMES?

And why would you shoot down Sen. Durbin's amendment to protect servicemen and women from bankruptcies by predatory lenders charging usurious interest rates? How can you vote to shoot down this amendment and say that you support the troops?

To paraphrase your diary above, THIS is an American issue. In order to show that you are working for true Progressive issues in your capacity as Senator from Delaware, and to show that your constituency is not the major credit card company headquartered in your home state, you need to tell the bloggers here as well as the rest of America that you were wrong to support this bill, and you will commit to initiating legislation to retract it.

Your honor is on the line, Senator - are you a man of the people, or an executive at MBNA?

by Rico 2005-07-15 01:25PM | 0 recs
Shadow_head_small
Re: Senator, help restore bankruptcy protection fo

According to a recent Harvard University study:

"To investigate medical contributors to bankruptcy, we surveyed 1,771 personal bankruptcy filers in five federal courts and subsequently completed in-depth interviews with 931 of them. About half cited medical causes, which indicates that 1.9-2.2 million Americans (filers plus dependents) experienced medical bankruptcy. Among those whose illnesses led to bankruptcy, out-of-pocket costs averaged $11,854 since the start of illness; 75.7 percent had insurance at the onset of illness. Medical debtors were 42 percent more likely than other debtors to experience lapses in coverage. Even middle-class insured families often fall prey to financial catastrophe when sick."

Please read the whole study here:  http://content.healthaffairs.org/cgi/content/full/hlthaff.w5.63/DC1

I understand your desire to represent MBNA, a major constituent.  However, at some point, representation of a legitimate constituent must give way to decency and respect for those who play by the rules and still wind up losing.

by Bonddad 2005-07-15 03:01PM | 0 recs
Shadow_head_small
Re: Senator, help restore bankruptcy protection fo
Bonddad,

If I could give you a 500 I would. Mine is one of those families with a good and steady income, as good a healthcare package as my state allows, yet another year like last year and I'll be facing the prospect of bankruptcy or, as the new legislation appears to set up... indentured servitude.

I have a chronically ill family member. Insurance only covers part of what is required. Last year was a bad year and I am now very much in debt. Because I am lucky enough to be highly compensated and have some savings to work with we survived the huge increase in medical expenses. It is a very real possibility that we could experience a repeat of last year and if we do then we will be pretty much wiped out. I am currently looking into starting over by remortgaging our home in order to buy us some breathing room. Like I said I am one of the lucky ones that has some resources to work with. How do folks working Wal-Mart jobs survive this stuff?

They don't.

by Andrew C White 2005-07-15 05:56PM | 0 recs
Shadow_head_small
If someone gets a serious illness, they lose their
job, and hence, their insurance..

Age discrimination is also legal now, thanks to the GOP.. so many businesses, like Google, don't hire anybody over 40 as a matter of practice..

Thats part of the consequence of having a healthcare financing system that is designed to funnel as many of American's hard-earned dollars as possible to the big campaign contributors..

Both Republican and Democratic.. unfortunately..

by ultraworld 2005-07-15 09:42PM | 0 recs
Shadow_head_small
Re: Senator, help restore bankruptcy protection fo
A three for you, Bonddad, though I would probably call MBNA a major donor, not a constituent.  MBNA is a corporation, not a person, and even though it employs people, I don't think their jobs would be at risk if MBNA actually had to do risk assessments for their credit offerings.
by paperwight 2005-07-16 12:34PM | 0 recs
Shadow_head_small
Re: Senator, help restore bankruptcy protection fo
Corporations are people too!
by SocialNetworker 2005-07-16 01:08PM | 0 recs
Shadow_head_small
Another Thing
Since everyone seems to be taking this opportunity to comment on anything besides what you posted about I will join in.
I would just like to actually say thank you Senator for serving our country in the Senate.  Most of us critics would not be willing to take on the often thankless responsibility of making important government decisions for our country. I disagree with you probably on almost everything, but I'm grateful for what you are trying to accomplish.  
But with all due respect I think that the federal government makes far to many decisions both in spending and regulation for the whole country, creating the hateful divisiveness we see today as people feel powerless to change a government elected by such large masses as to make individual voice insignificant.  If there was one reform I would pass on the Senate it would be term limitations  and a large pay increase for Senators.  I believe when Senators see their position as a career they are more worried about being re-elected and so feel they have to 'show what they did in Washington' passing legislation that is often none of the federal government's business or passing legislation that is politically expendient but not in the best long-term interest of our country.  Anyway, this post is to long so sorry but thanks again for your honest efforts to improve our nation.
by Freedom Fighter 2005-07-15 02:35PM | 0 recs
Shadow_head_small
Re: Another Thing
If there was one reform I would pass on the Senate it would be term limitations

In the words of the immortal Paul "Bear" Bryant, "Bingo Charlie."

The Senate was not designated a life-long appointment by the founding fathers; two terms is enough. House districts are so gerrymandered that holding elections is actually a waste of public funds. Three terms in the House should be sufficient. The arguments pertaining to "experience" fall on deaf ears here because they are predicated on the assumption that there is only one individual capable of serving a designated constituency. That's nonsense unless it is assummed that power within itself serves a functional utility. In an open democracy such as our own, that should never be the case as a vacuum exists in order to rectify any imbalances where they may become present.

Lastly, I spent more time on guard duty than most of y'all up there on the Hill that support our continued presence in I-wreck. I'd suggest a simple exit strategy: Support the troops - bring them home.    

by Seldom Seen Smith 2005-07-15 03:49PM | 0 recs
Shadow_head_small
A suggestion for the Senator
Senator, first off I would like to thank you for making the effort to reach out to those of us in the netroots community. I'm afraid though that your turning to us for support in this manner is a little disingenuous. I would suggest that much could be learned from this community if you or your staff were to spend some time researching the concerns of it.

To be honest, your transportation security measure is probably a cause that many would get behind, but given you recent track record on progressive issues I'm afraid your plea will fall upon deaf ears.

My suggestion to you is to please spend some time at the various netroots websites, lurk for a while as we all have, see what people are talking about and what their concerns are. Then come back and engage us in a meaningful dialogue about what can be done to fix this nation. You may find that not only are your ideas would be welcome, but there are many that would be more then willing to help you.  

by IRAQFACT 2005-07-15 04:13PM | 0 recs
Shadow_head_small
Back to the issue of our rail system...
I am also disappointed with Senator Biden's support for the bankruptcy bill, but that in no way, mitigates the importance of rail security.  I give the senator credit for attempting to reach out to the netroots, and we should all try and focus on that issue.  If Biden sees that we give him a fair reception on this issue, then perhaps he will post more often and be open to our opinions on bills like the bankruptcy bill before he votes on them. Rail security is an issue on which I am sure we can agree with the senator. Rail security is important and I think expanding our rail system is just as important for economic and environmental reasons.    
by schwompa 2005-07-15 04:54PM | 0 recs
Shadow_head_small
Senator.. Thank you for trying to stop the looting
of America by the GOP and their cronies.

I know that the urban states did not, as a group, vote GOP, but we still deserve a share of the taxes we pay. 2% of the money to be shared between public transit and rail transportaion is just too little.. 98% for airline security firms is too much..

I ride busses every day, airlines maybe once or twice a year..

WE NEED TO STOP THIS SHAMELESS LOOTING OF AMERICAS FUTURE..

by ultraworld 2005-07-15 09:38PM | 0 recs
Shadow_head_small
This outreach effort to the netroots
is LAME.  It's a bit of post and run here.  I know, he is a U.S. Senator and has other things to do, some staff person probably came up with the idea to enter the blogosphere, and Sen. Biden probably has never heard of MyDD.  But there was an opportunity for dialogue--even just a little, and we got nothing.

Either do it like it matters, or don't do it.

(I know that he isn't a U.S. Senator, but the occasional diary posts from Terry Lierman, chair of the MD Democratic Party are great.  He posts, and then checks back during the day to respond to questions and comments.  I wish that more politicians would do that, instead of post and disappear).

by Steve Hill 2005-07-16 04:49AM | 0 recs
Shadow_head_small
Thank-you Senator Warmonger
Last week, London was shattered by terrorist bombings, which took the lives of more than 50 innocent people and seriously wounded hundreds more. It was a shocking reminder that our rail and transit systems are an attractive target to terrorists.

It was a reminder that we are engaged in an illegal and immoral war. It was a reminder that Iraq is an incubator for terrorists and a training ground for urban guerilla warfare.

If you want to improve the security of the United States, you can start working on a withdrawal plan to get the U.S. the hell out of Iraq as quickly and as humanely as possible.

The Humpty Dumpty Rule:

If you run over a piece of pottery or an egg with a tank, you can't put it back together again.

Why are Democrats preparing to make the same mistake Nixon made when he turned LBJ's war into Nixon's war?

Why do Democrats think they are smart enough to fix a country that was already in seriously bad shape and Bush has completely turned into a political and cultural hell?

God save us from do gooder Democrats who think the only thing they need to fix Iraq is noble intentions.

by Gary Boatwright 2005-07-15 05:18PM | 0 recs
Shadow_head_small
Re: Thank-you Senator Warmonger
So are you defending the London bombings? If you are, come out and say it -- I for one will appreciate the candor.

Do you dispute that the 50 dead and scores wounded from the bombings were not innocent? Because they were, and a majority of them probably even opposed the Iraq war judging by the UK's overall public opinion.

His point on homeland security threats are valid thanks to Bush underfunding the efforts to do so. The fact that we're in Iraq now is no excuse for Bush to leave the country open to attacks. Are you defending Bush's policy of underfunding homeland security? You must be, because Biden along with the rest of the dems are the minority party and Bush makes policy for the next 3 years without fear of re-election, so if he wants to stay in Iraq we have no choice but to stay.

But otherwise nice effort at promoting dissention within party ranks. Great prep for a 2008 victory.

by Vote Hillary 2008 2005-07-15 05:36PM | 0 recs
Shadow_head_small
Re: Thank-you Senator Warmonger
It appears that you have surmised I will have similar questions for Sen. Clinton. The answer to your ridiculous question is no. I do not approve of the London bombings. I do believe they were an entirely predictable consequence of the Iraq war.

Let me use simple declarative sentences to make my position clear:

The Iraq war was has no military objective. It is impossible to win a war that has no military objective.

The Iraq war has done nothing to make America safer from terrorism.

The Iraq war has weakened our military and our national security.

The Iraq war will continue to weaken our military and national security.

The Iraq war was and is immoral. In addition to having no military objective, the Iraq war has no honorable objective or moral purpose.

Richard Clarke was right. For America to invade Iraq was Osama Bin Laden's most ferocious desire.

Iraq is not a flypaper for terrorism. Iraq is a petri dish for terrorism.

Iraq is a terrorist training ground in the art of urban guerrilla warfare. We should not be surprised if and when terrorists decide to practice in London, and other western countries, the terrorist skills they are learning in Iraq.

Here's one you will like that a lot of people have been dodging. America was safer with Saddam Hussein as the leader of Iraq. Saddam Hussein did not allow terrorists to practice their skills in Iraq. If Saddam Hussein was still the leader of Iraq, and America had not invaded Iraq, the world would be a far safer place for everybody, including Iraqis.

The Iraq war, and warmonger Senators who did not oppose an immoral war, are the ones promoting dissention in the party, not me. Why am I obliged to support an immoral war, or a politician who supports an immoral war, just because Bush lied to the American people about why he invaded an innocent country?

If the Democratic warmongers in the Senate and the House had displayed more courage and backbone, perhaps we would not be in Iraq. Oops. I forgot. We are talking about the Democratic party. Democrats don't take stands on the issues and they don't have a spine. Except when it comes to bombing poor brown skinned people in foreign countries.

Don't expect me to pretend that the Iraq war is a really good deal for America, just for the sake of party unity.

by Gary Boatwright 2005-07-15 08:03PM | 0 recs
Shadow_head_small
To quote Cyborg from TEEN TITANS...
BOO-YA!

Sometimes you read something... and you just think... that's what I WANTED to say, but I'm too much of foul-mouthed dumbass to do it without it degenerating into a vulgar personal attack.

Thanks Gary, for speaking for me too.

Frankly... I'm PISSED at the Dems who voted for the Iraq war.  They KNEW what we all did... there was nothing there!  Evryone knew it, but they didn;t want to seem 'too liberal' or whatever the fuck the reason was.

Bottom line:  Iraq was a bad idea, and Bush and about half of the Republican leadership and voting bloc have had a hard-on for Iraq since '92.  They just fucked us because they had a boner.  No other reason.  Everything else was just pillow-talk.

by teknofyl 2005-07-16 11:24AM | 0 recs
Shadow_head_small
Re: Thank-you Senator Warmonger
The administration went to war in Iraq. Bush did. Cheney did. Bolton did. Rumsfeld did. Condi did. Wolfowitz did. A dozen other chickenhawks who engineered that policy did.

They took the rest of America along for the ride. Even if every democrat opposed the war, Bush would still have gone and the GOP would have branded the democrats as opposing the war on terrorism and being weak on defense -- during a time when the wider public was polling at mid-70s in support of the Iraq invasion. Or have you already forgotten that fact?

Yeah the war was built on lies and nobody here is defending why we went to Iraq for in the first place. But that doesn't change the fact that we are stuck Iraq now and as a nation are responsible for what happens to it. The fact that Bush and his cronies fucked Iraq up and 1000s of Iraqis have perished as a result doesn't mean we can just pull all our troops tomorrow and let god sort them out.

Iraqis and the world don't distinguish between democrats and republicans, they see us all as just Americans. Like it or not, when republicans shit on our neighbor's lawn, it gets blamed on us too. If anything, we failed them all when we lost 2004. We didn't change enough minds into votes and isn't that a tragedy.

If you want to walk away after Bush razed that country and left it in chaos go ahead. As for me I'll be supporting the best means for cleaning up this mess and at least leaving the country in a somewhat reasonable state after we tore it asunder. The Iraqis deserve that and do not deserve being abandoned and left to the whim of foreign fighters like Zarqawi who kills Iraqis as well as Americans.

So if that means I have to hope now that the new government becomes stable and the occupation succeeds, so be it. I'm not so petty to wish failure on Bush at the price of long term stability for the Iraqis.

by Vote Hillary 2008 2005-07-16 09:49PM | 0 recs
Shadow_head_small
Re: Thank-you Senator Warmonger
Additionally, our job from here forward is to stop this from happening ever again.
by Vote Hillary 2008 2005-07-16 09:50PM | 0 recs
Shadow_head_small
Re: Thank-you Senator Warmonger
So if that means I have to hope now that the new government becomes stable and the occupation succeeds, so be it.

Hoping Iraq becomes stable and the occupation succeeds will not make it so. That's the fundamental problem the "stay the course" Democrats have not addressed. How will they succeed? Where is their plan? What is their strategy?

Repeating the mantra of the pottery barn rule is not a plan. It is not a strategy.

I'm not so petty to wish failure on Bush at the price of long term stability for the Iraqis.

I would appreciate it if you would avoid the passive agressive snark that attributes bad motives to those of us who oppose an immoral war. There is nothing "petty" about my opposition to Bush's Iraq war. There is nothing "petty" about my reasons for opposing Democrats who have failed to lay out their strategy for their goal of "staying the course."

I am simply acknowledging the reality that a white Christian military cannot "fix" a Muslim country. Until I see a workable strategy and plan for "staying the course" I will support an immediate withdrawal as the most humane course for Americans and Iraqis.

by Gary Boatwright 2005-07-17 06:59AM | 0 recs
Shadow_head_small
Re: Thank-you Senator Warmonger
Simply calling for withdrawal is not a plan either, so go ahead and propose an alternative plan General Boatwright.

Withdrawing now after the country has been destabilized and reduced to chaos is irresponsible and stupid. I don't give a shit if you opposed the war, you're an american and therefore to the eyes of the world, YOU are also culpable for this catastrophe.

You are guilty by association and therefore will help me and everyone else clean up this mess whether you like it or not. Most americans today believe the iraq war was a mistake, but most believe we have to fix what Bush did, so you are in the small minority. Ergo, you will be paying your tax dollars to help us clean up what Bush did.

Complain all you want, it changes nothing.

by Vote Hillary 2008 2005-07-17 09:37AM | 0 recs
Shadow_head_small
And what about CAFTA?
What is your position on CAFTA? Do you agree with the DLC on CAFTA? That seems like the next logical step after selling us out on bankruptcy.

How many bills can you name that you have supported in the last ten years that favored working people instead of corporate scumbags? Did any of them pass, or did you just give lip service to giving a damn about people who work for a living?

Fronting yourself out as Mr. National Security isn't going to win the Democratic primary pal. It would probably be a good idea to start talking, voting and acting like a Democrat, instead of a faux-Republican with moderate tendencies.

by Gary Boatwright 2005-07-15 05:26PM | 0 recs
Shadow_head_small
Re: And what about CAFTA?
How many democrats do not accept funds from -- and are therefore in debt to -- corporate interest groups?

According to http://www.opensecrets.org/parties/index.asp ...none.

Corporate whoring is a political reality of the two party system. Only Nader supports refusing any support from any corporate interest. Did you vote Nader any time recently?

I want to cut out all corporate funding PERIOD from the political process. Do you support this measure with me? No McCain-Feingold nonsense, I'm talking every corporate dollar.

by Vote Hillary 2008 2005-07-15 05:41PM | 0 recs
Shadow_head_small
Damn straight I do
One of the worst Supreme Court decisons in history was Buckley v. Valejo, which opened the flood gates of big money to the democratic process. It's been downhill ever since.

I'd like to appoint Elliot Spitzer special counsel in charge of investigating corruption and let him put his whole N.Y. staff to work filing criminal charges against any politician who broke any law or any ethical standards. Nothing could make me happier than to wipe out about half of Congress and start over.

I'm guessing about 75% of the criminals would be GOPers and 25% Dems. It could be 50-50, and I wouldn't care. I don't like corrupt D's or R's.

by Gary Boatwright 2005-07-15 08:14PM | 0 recs
Shadow_head_small
The DEMS are supporting CAFTA????
That is INSANE...

Read this:

As the Bush administration steps up efforts to obtain congressional approval for a the Central America Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA) NAFTA expansion, Public Citizen released a new report documenting the fate of promises made to members of Congress since 1992 in exchange for their support of controversial trade agreements. The report, "Trade Wars - Revenge of the Myth: When Trade Vote Deals Go Bad" reveals that of the more than 90 promises made to win trade votes since NAFTA, just 16 were kept.

http://www.citizen.org/documents/tradewars.pdf

http://www.citizen.org/pressroom/release.cfm?ID=1968

by ultraworld 2005-07-15 09:49PM | 0 recs
Shadow_head_small
Re: The DEMS are supporting CAFTA????
Just one of the many ways the Democratic party has sold out the middle class and working Americans. They are more interested in campaign contributions from corporate fat cats than they are about voters. The trick is to make just enough empty promises that you will not keep to working people and then promise your corporate contributors that you are really on their side if they pay the seven figure price of admission as an industry sector.

We have to demand that the Democratic candidates for President don't dodge kitchen table economic issues with political bromides. We must demand specifics that are made loudly and publicly. If we let them play the middle of the road game for the sake of hoping it makes them electable, we will get the same old same old.

Tom DeLay's contributors get specific promises, just like Duke Cunningham's home buyer got specific promises. It's time we demanded specific promises as well. Centrism electability as a strategy be damned. It's time for Democrats to stand up and be counted for the middle class and working Americans.

by Gary Boatwright 2005-07-15 10:26PM | 0 recs
Shadow_head_small
Re: Damn straight I do
Ok we agree on this at least. I'd support Nader's ideas on banning corporate money from politics PERIOD.
by Vote Hillary 2008 2005-07-17 09:39AM | 0 recs
Shadow_head_small
Re: And what about CAFTA?
Gary
I don't know about every bill in the past ten years, but Biden voted AGAINST CAFTA a few weeks ago.
by ericcarbone 2005-07-15 05:49PM | 0 recs
Shadow_head_small
Re: And what about CAFTA?
That's good to know. I am aware that Sen. Biden is not officially DLC. I am not aware of the fine distinctions between Sen. Biden and the DLC. Whether he chooses to sharpen the differences of blur them is something I will be looking for.

Of course, no Senator who supported the Iraq war and does not favor immediate withdrawal will get my support in any event.

There will not be a more important issue than the Iraq war during the 2008 election.

by Gary Boatwright 2005-07-15 08:06PM | 0 recs
Shadow_head_small
Thank you Senator, for voting against CAFTA
Now, all of you need to stop offshoring American jobs..

Or soon, we won't have a middle class..

by ultraworld 2005-07-15 09:50PM | 0 recs
Shadow_head_small
Re: And what about CAFTA?
I will bet we still have 50k troops in Iraq in 2008. I will further bet that the new issue will still be about terrorism and national security, and likewise involve Iran, Syria, or North Korea. Whether it's Iraq or some other country doesn't make a whit of difference.
by Vote Hillary 2008 2005-07-16 09:53PM | 0 recs
Shadow_head_small
Who else will you sell out to?
We already know that you will sell out the American people to MBNA and the credit card industry. Apparently you believe Democratic primary voters will forget about your leading role in greasing the skids for that bill in the Senate.

What other corporate interests will you sell out to if you are elected President? Big Pharma? Big oil? Will you sell out universal health care in exchange for big bucks from the medical industry? How about the chemical industry? Will you sell out the environment if they make big bucks contributions?

Let me remind you of the punch line to the old joke: We already know what you are Madam. Know we are merely haggling over the price.

by Gary Boatwright 2005-07-15 08:28PM | 0 recs
Shadow_head_small
What about the vision thing?
What is your vision for America's foreign policy? How would you distinguish it from a Bush Warmonger Lite foreign policy?

How about your vision for America's working people? Wages have been stagnant for thirty years. Do you support any kitchen table economic issues that will make a difference in the lives of union and non-union Americans?

I mentioned on a diary the other day that Sen. Clinton does not have a single issue on her website for working people. Not one. Are you also a Free Market Lite Democrat who is content to let the trillions of increased wealth over the last thirty years trickle down to good hard working Americans?

This should be an easy one. Name the three biggest positions you have taken in the last ten years that demonstrate and define your political courage and and the quality of leadership.  

by Gary Boatwright 2005-07-15 10:16PM | 0 recs
Shadow_head_small
hmmm
no longer limited to DNC chair candidates, now we've gotten a flaming bag of poop diary from a sitting senator. movin' on up....
by wu ming 2005-07-15 11:41PM | 0 recs
Shadow_head_small
Re: hmmm
While it is true that Senator Biden did a post-and-run, you should acknowledge the fact that almost all Senators who post on MyDD or dKos do the same thing (with very few exceptions).  At least Sen. Biden's Communications Director stuck around for a little bit to answer some questions.  Hopefully he'll check in later today, too.
by Fran for Dean 2005-07-16 05:43AM | 0 recs
Shadow_head_small
Stuff and etc...
Mass transit, to be honest, exists in the Northeast Corridor and not so much elsewhere. The security of it is vital to those who use it, and also to the economy in a larger sense, but how the hell are citizens going to do anything about it when Congress can't even decide to allot more security funds per person to genuine targets than the ranches of Wyoming? Seriously, this is a problem of priority among the esteemed colleagues of the Senator, but if one of us civilians happens to be on the wrong train some day, we're the statistics. It's a must do kinda thing, but it is irrelevant to the 80 % of people who never use public transportation.

For the record, I've long been a fan of the Senator, and his take on foreign policy is just as valuable to me as that of Brzezinski's (music to the ears) but I've been unable to avoid picking up some slight misgivings lately about him over the bankruptcy bill and his piling on Dean a while back. I would say he's definitely one of the more attractive candidates out there in 2008 but he's fumbling before he even gets the ball, pissing off a lot of people who actively follow lefty politics with such moves. I wish him well but think that he's got a long way to go to overcome that bankruptcy vote. It's too goddam bad, because he's clearly got a firm grasp on many things, and a lot to offer.

Anyway, transit security = good, but transit is unused by the 80 % of people who don't have it in their cities. This is not a nationwide campaign, it is mainly east coast. Laudable, but not a huge issue for someone who never commuted that way.

by wd 2005-07-16 02:22AM | 0 recs
Shadow_head_small
I really used to like you
But your vote on the Bankruptcy bill broke that support. That was pure unadulterated pay for play. shameful.

You sold out hundreds of thousands of Americans ot the big credit card companies.

Far more people are going to be hurt because of your loan shark protection act vote than any rail transit issue.

by Pounder 2005-07-16 07:29AM | 0 recs
Shadow_head_small
Breaking New for politicians
From Tim Tagaris at the Swing State Project, Welcome to the Netroots, Senator Biden:

Senator Joe Biden jumped in with both feet over at MyDD earlier today, and was greated with a good mix of hostility and acceptance. This gives me a good opportunity to get a few things off my chest about candidates and electeds entering the blogosphere with increasing frequency.

(1.) Your star power is dwindling. At first, diaries at Kos, MyDD, and guest columns at places like Swing State Project were great opportunities to be seen by thousands in the grassroots and greeted with thankfulness for what was almost always a fundraising attempt. They almost always shot up to the top of the recommended list in record time. That doesn't happen any longer. I have seen diaries by Nick Lampson (TX-22) drift away into obscurity. There is a higher standard in the netroots now-a-days.

(3.) If you are going to post, then post. Don't have your communications staff posting under your name, pretending your effort at outreach is anything more than some screed that you approved (maybe) over a cup of coffee earlier in the morning. Now I'm not saying that Senator Biden's post on MyDD wasn't written and posted by him, but I know that we aren't always talking to the candidates when we think we are.

(5.) Do not just copy and paste press releases. We know it when we see them.

This is not to pick on Senator Biden, because a lot of the points I listed above did not happen in his entry. In fact, during the filibuster battle, I called his office for a copy of a floor speech he gave, and had one emailed to me within 5 minutes. For that I was grateful, for sure. This is for the increasing number of candidates who have decided they want to "reach-out" to the netroots. What worked in 2004 might work a bit in 2006, but I can promise you, it won't work nearly as well in 2006 to 2008.

by Gary Boatwright 2005-07-16 08:03AM | 0 recs
Shadow_head_small
Dear Sen. Biden
While I agree with most of the criticism of Sen. Biden which everyone has been spouting, I would like to try and make something else clear. Even if he did push for the horrendous bankruptcy bill, publicly denounce Howard Dean in his time of need, vote for the War in Iraq, etc etc., shouldn't we then be taking this opportunity to at least thank him for finally using his considerable media presence and influence to push an issue which actually is actually worthy of the attention of all Americans and especially the Democratic Party?
by RIDem88 2005-07-16 09:58AM | 0 recs
Shadow_head_small
Senator Biden, please post a diary
in which you explain your repeated use of the phrase "President Bush is a good man". By which standards is Bush a good man. Is he law-abiding? Is he honest? Is he compassionate?

When you say that he is a "good man", what exactly do you mean? Are you praising his theft of consecutive presidential elections? The systemic corruption of his administration? His appointment of facists to the federal courts?

Did you approve of him cheating during the debates by wearing a reciving device that made him look like Quasimodo? How about his hosting of gay prostitutes and porn stars at the White House? Covering up for the felonies of Karl Rove?

What about Bush's looting of the Treasury to provide kickbacks to his corporate benefactors? His attempt to destroy Social Security? His use of surrogates to smear political opponents?

Oh, and he deceived us into an illegal war. Did you also like that one, Senator?

The list is encyclopedic, so I'll stop the litany here. Do you respect each of these individual actions taken by Bush, or must they be viewed in aggregate to earn you admiration?

Please feel to respond at your leisure, or after you stop brownnosing the dissolute thief who is occupying the Oval Office, whichever comes first.

by RosalieTotsy 2005-07-16 10:44AM | 0 recs
Shadow_head_small
Re: Senator Biden, please post a diary
Oh I see, perhaps the senator should have referred to the president as a "lying sack of shit". True or not, I'm so sure that would have come off great with moderate voters and helped our chances in 2008 that much more!

If you can't understand political etiquette then you are beyond help.

by Vote Hillary 2008 2005-07-16 09:58PM | 0 recs
Shadow_head_small
Re: Senator Biden, please post a diary
There is nothing that says Sen. Biden has to continually refer to Bush as "a good man." That alone disqualified Sen. Biden as the Democratic nominee to be President.
by Gary Boatwright 2005-07-17 07:01AM | 0 recs
Shadow_head_small
Re: Senator Biden, please post a diary
There is nothing that says he cannot refer to Bush however he chooses, is there? Well guess you're stuck with it then.
by Vote Hillary 2008 2005-07-17 09:33AM | 0 recs
Shadow_head_small
Re: Senator Biden, please post a diary
There is nothing that says he cannot refer to Bush however he chooses, is there?

No... and there is no law that says we should support such a person.. now is there?

by Parker 2005-07-17 10:30AM | 0 recs
Shadow_head_small
Re: Senator Biden, please post a diary
No one said you must support this person, did they?
by Vote Hillary 2008 2005-07-17 11:24AM | 0 recs
Shadow_head_small
Bean
I admit embarrassment for Senator Biden.  

There's a strong element of irreality about his post, his choice of subject. I'm all for rail travel -- plenty of it, well-funded, and as secure as possible.  But this is a personal issue for the commuting Delaware senator, and an extraordinarily trivial one in comparison with the issues -- war, corporate grip on government, Patriot Act excesses, and serious corruption and incompetence in two branches of government.  Senator Biden isn't doing his job, neither the one he owes the country nor the one he owes his Party.

For shame!

by Bean 2005-07-16 03:21PM | 0 recs
Shadow_head_small
Thanks for nothing, Senator Biden
I'm one of those who is going through a bankruptcy because of my parent's medical bills.

I do NOT appreciate the fact that YOU SHUT THE DOOR ON ME!

You do not represent me, you represent MBNA and the Big Banks.

You will NEVER get my vote for President, NEVER!

by Joe Bacon 2005-07-16 05:21PM | 0 recs
Shadow_head_small
Senator, feel free to post again.
I will be voting for Hillary as you can see, but unlike much of this hateful vitriol from your fellow democrats here, I actually believe in party solidarity -- and I'm an independent!

Maybe Hillary will consider you for a running mate in 08? Nah, no offense but Delaware doesn't have much electoral weight and usually votes blue anyway.

Best of luck though.

by Vote Hillary 2008 2005-07-16 10:00PM | 0 recs
Shadow_head_small
Re: Senator, feel free to post again.
I actually believe in party solidarity...
... as long as it is favorable to far right wing Democratic issues...

you forgot to finish the sentence

by Parker 2005-07-17 06:34AM | 0 recs
Shadow_head_small
Re: Senator, feel free to post again.
Those on the right of the democratic party are just as part of the whole as those on the left of the democratic party.

ALL would be described as liberals by republicans.

If you want a party of only left wing issues, then go start a third party and join Nader. He's right up your alley.

by Vote Hillary 2008 2005-07-17 09:42AM | 0 recs
Shadow_head_small
Re: Senator, feel free to post again.
What the hell is a left wing issues? ... those that are the guding principles the Democratic Party.

The issues you seem to be interested in supporting are already supported by the Republican party... big tent is one thing... but copying the Republicans is just ignorant.

It seems you are the one who has more in common with the Republican party than the Democratic party which leaves the mystery why are you here in the first place since you do not like the bascic principles of the party.

by Parker 2005-07-17 10:28AM | 0 recs
Shadow_head_small
Re: Senator, feel free to post again.
unlike much of this hateful vitriol from your fellow democrats here

Accusing people who disagree with you of "hateful vitriol" is lame. If you want to see what "hateful vitriol" looks like, visit LGF. The large majority of comments are based on policy disagreements, pure and simple. There are many sound reasons for opposing Biden as the democratic nominee and there is no reason not to express them.

by Gary Boatwright 2005-07-17 07:04AM | 0 recs
Shadow_head_small
Re: Senator, feel free to post again.
That you disagree with me I don't have a problem with. That you opposes Biden I surely don't have a problem with. That senator takes the time to post on a liberal blog and you people just bash him for it, that's what I call hateful vitriol.

Try using reason and debate to question his views rather than simply calling him a traitor or warmonger. You'll probably get better results, after all he hears that everyday from the GOP noise machine.

by Vote Hillary 2008 2005-07-17 09:45AM | 0 recs
Shadow_head_small
Re: Senator, feel free to post again.
I will be voting for Hillary as you can see, but unlike much of this hateful vitriol from your fellow democrats here, I actually believe in party solidarity -- and I'm an independent!

I'm glad you believe in party solidarity.  It's nice that insults to other Democrats from you are not against the spirit of solidarity.

by SocialNetworker 2005-07-17 09:06AM | 0 recs
Shadow_head_small
Re: Senator, feel free to post again.
This coming from someone who calls people who like Biden "losers"? How quaint.
by Vote Hillary 2008 2005-07-17 09:46AM | 0 recs
Shadow_head_small
The true mark of a fucking douchebag
He doesn't even reply to any comments.

Hopefully he didn't plagiarize this work he wrote.  

It's too bad he's such an entrenched incumbent that he'll die out of his job.

Could someone BS him into giving up his Senate post before his 2008 Prez run?

by jcjcjc 2005-07-18 06:21AM | 0 recs

Diaries

Advertise Blogads


----------- myDD - skin -----------