Saturday, January 30, 2010

Senator Collins Upset About The Handling of The Christmas Bomber

Senator Collins does an excellent job in laying out the problems in the handling of the Attempted Christmas Day Bomber. There has been little reason given by those who want terrorists tried in civilian courts as to why military tribunals are not adequate. There is a media perception that military tribunals are 'less fair,' but that has not been backed up by evidence. The complaints under the Bush administration were legitimate because there was no timeline for detainees to be tried. That was rectified with the bipartisan vote to institute military tribunals. Those who want civilian trails would be wise to answer the questions, 'Why civilian courts?' and 'Why are military courts not suitable?'

Friday, January 29, 2010

McCain's Response to the State of the Union Address

Two Men Executed in Iran for Protests

Iran recently hung two men for participating in recent government protests. One was only 20 years old.

White House condemns Iran's execution of men accused of seeking to topple the state

White House deputy press secretary Bill Burton says the executions represent a new low in Iran's crackdown on peaceful dissent and will further isolate Tehran.

The executions mark an escalation in the Iranian government's crackdown on its opponents following last year's disputed presidential election.

Thursday, January 28, 2010

McCain and Bipartisan Group of Senators Press Holder on KSM Trial

Senators from both sides of the aisle have written a letter to AG Eric Holder protesting the civilian trial of Khalid Sheikh Mohammed in New York City. More people are coming forward as viewing this trial as inappropriate, and Mayor Bloomberg has recently noted his concerns too. The complaints are two fold: the location, and that KSM is being tried in a civilian court instead of a military tribunal.

From the Hill - Senators press Holder on military trials for accused Sept. 11 terrorists
Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) and five other senators are urging the administration to reverse its decision to try in civilian courts terrorist suspects allegedly involved in the Sept. 11 attacks.

McCain and the bipartisan group of senators want the suspects tried in military commissions instead.

They made the demand in a letter sent Tuesday to Attorney General Eric Holder.

Sens. Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), Blanche Lincoln (D-Ark.), Susan Collins (R-Maine) and Jim Webb (D-Va.) also signed the letter.

The group said Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, the self-declared mastermind of the Sept. 11 attacks, should be tried by a military commission and not in a New York City courtroom.

“Today, those who subscribe to the same violent ideology as Khalid Sheikh Mohammed continue to plan and execute attacks against innocent civilians all over the world,” the senators wrote. “It is not in our national interest to provide them further publicity or additional advantage.”

Holding the trial in lower Manhattan, just blocks from where the World Trade Center’s Twin Towers once stood, would provide “one of the most visible platforms in the world to exalt their past acts and rally others in support of future terrorism,” they argued.

“Such a trial would almost certainly become a recruitment and radicalization tool for those who wish us harm,” they wrote.

Health Care Clearly Unpopular

As President Obama clarified in last night's speech, he wants to push forward with health care reform. However, polls from RealClearPolitics show that the American people clearly don't want this version of health care reform. The polls from the last week are well over 10 points in opposition to the plan, one even breaks the 20 point mark. One would think the Scott Brown win in MA would be a clear enough sign that America does not want this version of health care reform, we'll have to see how Democrats and the administration deal these crystal clear signs that the American people don't like this plan

Tuesday, January 26, 2010

Dems Try to Ram Through Health Care

Since last week's MA election of Scott Brown to the Senate, the consensus on cable and network news is that the Democrats would need to redraw their health care plans as they are not interested in cramming the Senate health care bill through the House. RealClearPolitics.com is reporting that may be precisely what the Dems now plan to do with regards to health care.

Democratic congressional leaders are coalescing around their last, best hope for salvaging President Barack Obama's sweeping health care overhaul.

Their plan is to pass the Senate bill with some changes to accommodate House Democrats, senior Democratic aides said Monday. Leaders will present the idea to the rank and file this week, but it's unclear whether they have enough votes to carry it out.

Last week's victory by Republican Scott Brown in Massachusetts cost Democrats the 60th vote they need to maintain undisputed control of the Senate, jeopardizing the outcome of the health care bill just when Obama had brokered a final deal on most of the major issues.

"We've put so much effort into this, so much hard work, and we were so close to doing some significant things. Now we have to find the political path that brings us out. And it's not easy," the No. 2 Senate Democrat, Dick Durbin of Illinois, said Monday.

The new strategy is as politically risky as it is bold. There is widespread support for Obama's goals of expanding coverage to nearly all Americans while trying to slow costs. But polls show the public is deeply skeptical of the Democratic bills, and Republicans would certainly accuse Democrats of ignoring voters' wishes.

Obama initially voiced doubts last week that a comprehensive bill was still viable, but he now seems to be pushing for it. Asked Monday if the president was backing away from his pursuit of major changes, White House spokesman Robert Gibbs responded: "No."


Dem leaders coalesce on health care strategy