Leahy's Rout

Opinion Journal ^ | 12/07/2001 | Editorial board

[Pokey78]

The stampede you heard out of Washington yesterday was the sound of Senate Democrats and other liberals abandoning their two-week attack on military tribunals and Attorney General John Ashcroft. There may be some mopping up left, but this debate is over. It's one more sign that the obligation to community is reasserting itself as a core value in American politics.

[JohnHuang2]

If Hill Republicans had any brains, they would try to keep this loser issue for Democrats alive by forcing an up-or-down floor vote on military tribunals....

[nicmarlo]

. . . Zell Miller, the Georgia Democrat, has been the sharpest critic of his own colleagues, noting that, "These nit-pickers need to find another nit to pick. They need to stop protecting the rights of terrorists. This is about national security. This is about life and death."

Ya know, I do like this maverick. Why is he a democRat?

[davidmoore01]

But a surprising and hopeful thing has happened in the meantime: The American public has resisted the clamor. Poll after poll shows that, by more than two to one, Americans support the use of military commissions to try noncitizen terrorists.

"Whenever you find that you are on the side of the majority, it is time to pause and reflect." --Mark Twain

[SmartBlonde]

Excellent idea. Got 'em on the run - drive 'em into the ocean. This was a red-letter day for Ashcroft. He was well-prepared and loaded for bear. If the Republicans would do this more often, they would be more successful!!!!

[Pokey78]

Totally agree JH2.

[general_re]

The most dramatic moment came when Mr. Ashcroft, in his opening remarks, held up a copy of the al Qaeda training manual. It's part of the evidence that prosecutors had to make public in an earlier terror trial. And it describes how terrorists have been instructed to use America's civil-rights protections to their own destructive advantage. (Excerpts are on the Justice Department Web site.)

Speaking of which, here it is. (PDF file - 8737K)

[Ironword]

The Dems knew their BS was going to be exposed at the hearing, which is why DiFi and Chuckie S. et al. changed the subject from an oversight hearing on military tribunals to an emotive hearing on gun shows. LOL!! See-through.

Ashcroft was great, because he was 1. right, and 2. forthright. And Hatch finally earned a day's pay.

[Grampa Dave]

Thanks for this great thread.

Zell Miller said it best, " Zell Miller, the Georgia Democrat, has been the sharpest critic of his own colleagues, noting that, "These nit-pickers need to find another nit to pick. They need to stop protecting the rights of terrorists. This is about national security. This is about life and death." "

It is time for Miller and Ashcroft to invade Oregon and take on the Mayors and their butt boy/girl police chiefs in Portland, Eugene and Corvallis. These left wing clymers love the Islamics and will not even question potential terrorists!

[what's up]

Leahy's just jealous of Ashcroft. Leahy always wanted to be Attorney General.

[ladyinred]

These nit-pickers need to find another nit to pick. They need to stop protecting the rights of terrorists. This is about national security. This is about life and death."

At least one RAt finally got it right.

My question is, why question the AG about military tribunes, this is the DOD's baby, not Justice.

[JohnHuang2]

Ashcroft was great, because he was 1. right, and 2. forthright. And Hatch finally earned a day's pay.

Amen

[JohnHuang2]

Re: #5 - I totally agree.

[broomhilda]

Great post. I am printing it out for distribution.

[truth_seeker]

My question is, why question the AG about military tribunes, this is the DOD's baby, not Justice.

Because the AG is the top Legal and Law Enforcement guy, he reports to the President, and he explained the administration's position. Rumsfeld has bigger fish to fry, for now. I expect Justice will advise/cooperate with Defense on the tribunals; use, structure, location, etc.

[truth_seeker]

Excellent article. The admistration's position is completely sound, legally and morally. Bottom line: The legal/civil rights of an enemy force must take a backseat, to our national security. Those few who don't understand that simple concept, pray tell, must not grasp the magnitude of the Sept. 11 attack, the goals and methods of the enemy, and are doing some political grandstanding. Mostly democrats, as would be expected.

[RWG]

I saw part of an exchange with Ashcroft and kennedy. I thought Ashcroft should have analogized the necessity of sealing court records in this war against terrorists with the necessity of sealing court records in the case of drowned secretaries. But once again, I was disappointed.

[kayak]

Read and enjoy ..... :-)

[Nogbad]

Let Ashcroft be Ashcroft.

[stands2reason]

Because Ashcroft is politically the weakest leak in the Bush Administration right now and I would guess has the highest disapproval ratings.

[The Raven]

Hey Pokey !!!

This is an editorial [category]

Anyway...good post...love it.

[DJ88]

"And Hatch finally earned a day's pay."

You can say that again...I was shocked at how intelligent the man sounded. Miracles will never cease.

If the Demorats think this issue is gonna win over the American people, they better go back to polling. I, for one, would find any excuse I could to sit on a jury in a civil court in US during any of these terrorists trials.

They committed an act of war against the US, let the US military deal with them.

[DJ88]

"My question is, why question the AG about military tribunes, this is the DOD's baby, not Justice."

This is just a guess, but.....seeing how Rumsfeld is able to pick apart a reporter for asking stupid questions, the Demorats don't have the backbone to even bring him into the Senate building. Although, I must admit, I would love to see it. Rumsfeld would eat them alive. :-)

[BARGE]

Once again the Dems come up looking un-American,un-patriotic, and just plain silly.

[DB]

NOT.

[Dog]

You guys will love this one.

[MozartLover]

"As these and other details have emerged about tribunals, grown-up Democrats have begun to speak out in favor"....

Hee-hee-hee.:)

Unfortunately the list is short.........

[TroutStalker]

BTTT.

[FreedomPoster]

Why is he a democRat?

Accident of history. His party has left him. He is more conservative than several currently-serving Northeast RINO's.

I was pissed when Governor Roy Barnes (D-GA) selected former Governor Zell Miller to complete the term of Senator Paul Coverdell (R-GA), who died in office. The people elected a Republican, Barnes should have appointed a Republican to complete the term.

After watching him in action, I'm OK with Zell. I just wish he'd change his vote on Majority Leader.

[kachina]

Leahy knows his Titanic (read Democrat opposition) is going down on several fronts and he's still interested in rearranging the deck chairs.

[nicmarlo]

"Whenever you find that you are on the side of the majority, it is time to pause and reflect." --Mark Twain

Great quote, and very true. Now, if we can get Leaky Leahy, Dashle, and Gephardt silenced and quarantined . . .

[nicmarlo]

. . . I'm OK with Zell. I just wish he'd change his vote on Majority Leader.

Is it too much to wish he'd change his party, too?

[TontoKowalski]

If Hill Republicans had any brains, they would try to keep this loser issue for Democrats alive by forcing an up-or-down floor vote on military tribunals....

I thought about that, too, but the fact is the President does not need their consent or approval to do this. This issue is completely within the "box" of the Executive Branch. Encouraging a consent vote would be bad precedent, and I'm sure that the President is mindful of his responsibilities to the Presidency, as an institution.

[lgjhn]

If the Republicans would do this more often, they would be more successful!!!!

Exactly!!! Unfortunately, they are either too stupid or too cowardly (probably both) to bring the attack to the doorstep of the Pro Terrorist Senators. Perhaps the constituency of the Pro Terrorist Senators will remove them from office the next time around. They have been against America long enough....time for them to go.

[prambo]

Then they would be, by definition, accessories before and after the fact if, indeed, any of the "Muslim persons" involved has, or were to, commit an act of terrorism.

If these clowns knew they might be Tyrone's next cutie-pie, they might re-think their position.

prambo

[Sen Jack S. Fogbound]

Re: Zell Miller

Believe it or not, there are such a thing as a honest Democrat! Most of these people are moderate, and some are even conservative. None are liberal. Many feels the liberals do not speak for the Democratic Party but they have the voice at the moment. They need to get rid of the liberals and get back to basics.

[FreedomPoster]

It's not too much to wish, but it seems like it's too much for which to hope. Zell has said several times that, paraphasing, he's been a lifelong Democrat, and isn't inclined to switch parties. He does have a strong populist streak, which can lead to economic / welfare votes with which I disagree.

[deport]

thanks Dog...... I love the nit pickers by Senator Miller. ""These nit-pickers need to find another nit to pick. "

Don't forget Zell Millers zingers from this article. Tribunals' critics will pay in next election

.. It's no time to wring our hands like nervous Nellies, worrying whether a suspected terrorist might sue because he wasn't read his rights. ......

[nicmarlo]

. . . there are honest Democrats . . . They need to get rid of the liberals and get back to basics.

I know there are (but as a whole, it seems that party represents anything but honesty). And if they would get back to what their party once represented, I think our country could do wonders for all people. Differences in views actually helps. Thanks.

[skeeter]

Mr. Ashcroft also broke with this Administration's usual pattern and carried his argument to his critics.

I KNEW Ashcroft had it in him. Thank heavens.

[nicmarlo]

. . .he's been a lifelong Democrat, and isn't inclined to switch parties

Perhaps he can be more persuasive with other mod./conservative dems if he stays . . . that isn't too much to hope for. I think most mods. and conserv. dems. are seeing the liberal's days are numbered. The swell of basic core values amongst the people since 9/11 is heartening.

[mbb bill]

Did the senate taliban get the point!

[lexington minuteman 1775]

Good idea.Another rumbling that I have heard from some Demos lately has been the absense of a Declaration of War. The Bush administration did not choose that course but with the Presidents approval rating over 85% they might choose to go ahead and offcially declare war much as Jefferson did against the Barbary Pirates early in the 19th Century, thus cutting down any plan to erode the strides the Administration is making to rid the world of the "evil doers"

[ohioWfan]

We attribute it instead to the public's common-sense understanding that wars require a change in rules.

And IMO, to the fact that the public knows that we have an honest President and administration who can be trusted to 'get' the bad guys while it protects the good guys.

Thanks for this, Pokey!

[VOA]

Leahy's Rout

And Senator Feingold's too.
It was nice to see both Leahy and Feingold fuming during a recess of the hearing,
as shown on NightLine last night.
Beneath all the lofty rhetoric about American virtues in defending civil liberties
for terrorist, you could just hear them thinking:
"D-mn, Ashcroft made us look like members of Al-Quida."

[ohioWfan]

I certainly did enjoy it, kayak! Thanks for the ping!

[TontoKowalski]

Good idea.Another rumbling that I have heard from some Demos lately has been the absense of a Declaration of War.

Actually, Daschle was on H&C last night, and made a fair case as to why Congress had not declared war, and why he feels it would be inappropriate.

Now that's not to say there isn't an ulterior motive...

[ilgipper]

I have never been more impressed by Ashcroft. He did what Republicans usually fail to do...come out on the offensive. The Rats are always in attack mode....in campaigns, hearings, on tv, etc. The Republican usually gets in a defensive position off the bat. Ashcroft did not do this. I love it. Hopefully we will see more in years to come.

[ilgipper]

I have never been more impressed by Ashcroft. He did what Republicans usually fail to do...come out on the offensive. The Rats are always in attack mode....in campaigns, hearings, on tv, etc. The Republican usually gets in a defensive position off the bat. Ashcroft did not do this. I love it. Hopefully we will see more in years to come.

[John SBM]

The comments in the Democratic Meltdown? posting are right in line with this debate. Sen Leaky is playing an old Demorat card at the wrong time, in the wrong place, and the lemming Dems are going over the cliff!