YellowLinesandArmadillos

Oh I don't think most of them realize it yet, but they probably will soon enough, but have dug themselves in too deep to back off.

I believe they can stop it, and at least delay it under the arguement that the Administration did not follow the 45 day protocol. However, they would have to pass a disapproval resolution that is binding and then override a Presidential veto. I am not sure if they can be stopped it permanently, but they may be able to with a properly constructed resolution that both the House and Senate can agree to?! If it gets that far, it will be politically untenable for all sides. Talk about hyperbol out of Washington, you wait. And on this issue, there will be many strange bedfellows. I am betting Hastert folds and joins Bush, Frist is in the next Presidential race and is unlikely to back down now that his position is staked out. Hastert just sounded the least committed to opposing this.

I couldn't argree with you more on that point, still, I can understand a lot of the hyperbol and demagogery from our folks. As stated earlier, Bush folks miscalculated the P.R. on this issue, not mishandled. In a campaign season with previous mistakes still fresh, you have to expect other politicians, even from his own party to jump on his crap for even the appearance of a miscalculation. We did it with Clinton Admin. on a Conservation Reserve Program issue. They were renewing a whole lot of contract ares, farmers where questioning the new criteria and all the sudden, they were telling us a large number of contracts were going to be delayed for 2 years. Not a good decision politically, but they thought it would fly under the radar. Sounds like what happened here, but if they just asked Capital Hill a few questions, they might have avoided the fight. I think this issue is as much about the upcoming elections as it is about security concerns.

Latest on Scarborough Country is that Dubai Ports is backing off or delaying the deal to let the controversy die down. Apparantly they already run or own CSX railroad. Note: There apparantly is a link between Dubai Ports and the Carlyle Group with which GH Bush as been a part of and has additionaly links to the Bush family, Neil specifically. It explains how the connections for the deal probably went down, but it does not necessarily...can't believe I defending the President's decision...however, mean there is a security issue here. I have a friend/lawyer who specializes in Maritime law on the Senate Committee overseaing all of this, and while I don't dare bother him now, security at the ports he constantly says is whoefully inadequate. That begs the question, does having Dubai Ports running the ports, a company that runs many other international ports, make us any less safe? Politically, I think the position of the President is difficult. Also, I Dubai is not the biggest oil producer in the area, but is one of the biggest shippers out the UAE. Its was originally considered a good country to smuggle through its ports. Does that mean it still is? Additionally, from all I have read Dubai Ports International has a good reputation. At least maybe a healthy debate has started on upgrading the security of our Ports. The 5% number quoted regularly about as a total inspected v. 100% of those considered high risk that are inspected seemTs to be back to old stat quote of lies, damn lies and statistics. Not sure that means much when we are still discovering tunnels coming from Mexico. Terrorists probably had figured easier ways to get around any inspections. Anyway, it is interesting to watch the politics play out, while still trying to wade through what is legit info and what is not.

B.S. I thought I read that was 3 hours later, correct me if I am wrong, they had secret service there and they waited! Keep spewing you misinfo.

Even the police scanner wasn't broadcast right away. They kept a pretty good lid on it until they could achieve plausible deniability.

Oh common, you believe that crap, why wait 24 hours? Don't need one, this is not a ciminal court, this is a civil trial, circumstantial evidence is enough to convict and we have that.

Oh you are sick, awesome!

Correction a 24 hour later now sober Cheney shot a guy in a hunting accident...after a few too many nips off a flask... Whistleblowers does not suprise me, I hear there is a lot more to come out from friend in the know, it will continue and endless trick throughout the rest of this administration as more loyal soldiers become disinchanted with the B.S. lies they are subject to. It is not going away.

Oh no, you have gone over the edge, given the ball liking the last 5 years by everyone in the media, including CBS and Lou Dobbs, Gregory is refreshing. Having a little saliva withdrawl? Finally, someone at a network who is somewhat intellgent and not kissing this Administration's backside. Fox and to a lesser extent CNN generally fall into the entertainment category of right wing media, now that Ted divorced Jane and no longer has control. Neither one should be mistaken for News Channels.

Depends, and totally speculation, but if they were sipping anything at this time, then it becomes a different matter, question remains, why the 24 hour gap in time, kinda like the missing 11 minutes? Probably will never know. You righties can respond with Vince Foster, Monica doesn't play here, you investigated the hell out of her cigar. P.S. I like Dominican Ashtons with the CT wrappers!

Spock, sometimes you truly change my opinion of your perspective, hmm?

Ditto on the last sentence, trust me with this administration you will never know and it will not take a Starr commission and millions of dollars to explore it, hey it is not about sex, just shot someone in the head and heart, no biggy.

Now you got it, DC politics in a nutshell, except there always a few on the other side getting bribes...uh, contributions to make it bipartisan.

"Badges, I don't need no stinkin badges"

Ed Shultz, a moderate!

What liberal media, you guys are already all over the airwaves blaming the Democrats for this story, when it could have been short circuited by Cheney taking responsibility, making a public apology and leading all of us in prayer for this guy. Cheney=weasel

In fact, if dies so can the courts and our legal system, Cheney nows is eligible for prosecution for manslaughter or at least criminally negligent homicide. Akin to hitting and killing a pedestrian, a mistake, but you are still at fault. By the way, it is rumored the 24 hour delay was to try and get someone else to take the blame. Also, why in world wouldn't Cheney or anyone else have kept track of where that friend was when he went to be and errand boy and retrieve the previously shot quail. Don't you check and check twice on that sort of thing? Duh!

Understood, still the above comment applies.

Jeez you guys would never make it on Capitol Hill, they were making jokes when Reagan was shot, when Lee Atwater died of cancer, when Vince Foster "killed himself," when Sen. Heinz died, when Senator Wellstone died, anthrax, when the snipers were loose etc. Don't want the guy to die, but Cheney is a different story and a worthy target of any wannabe comedians.

Yep a bit run on, get a little "vaclemt" when typing sometimes, but these neo-con moron idiots get me oh so!

According to the article a legislative exception was made for deep water drilling in the Carribean? Therefore, there is no price trigger. Otherwise the $35/barrel applies. But, apparently a lot of oil is coming on line from deep water exploration started during this time.

Foget about it.

No, this has been going for a lot longer, but Clinton tried to increase the royalty payments and was shot down by Congress and then changed to provide relief, don't remember when it was taken to zero royalties. Obviously, it occurred under Clinton in 96, but notice is said legislatively. Be interesting to find out the full story behind the original leg, but I seem to remember there being relief prior to 1996 under Reagan. Don't know what form though.

No kidding, herding cats is probably easier.