What the heck is wrong with you, Mr. President?

MAKnight | 11/09/2005 | MAKnight

[MAKnight]

Good day Mr. President,

With all due respect, sir, what in the name of the Almighty is wrong with you?

And when I ask you this question I do believe I am speaking for the vast majority of those people who walked the precincts, sent down the checks, who cheered loudest when the Ohio results came in last year in November. I am talking about your supporters. Those of us who have and most likely will continue to stick by you until the day you finally return to Crawford three years from now.

We are the ones who have kept your poll numbers up when everyone else expected and hoped for them to go down. We are the ones who have remained your staunchest supporters even as the world mocked and insulted you. More importantly, We are the ones who got you elected, re-elected and provided you with majorities in both Houses of Congress, not just once, but twice.

We are the ones who hope and pray that you succeed.

So, again, with all due respect Mr. President, listen and take heed; we're tired. We're sick and tired.

We're sick and tired of seeing your poll numbers descending into the twenties. We're sick and tired of watching attacks by the other side and their Press allies on your Administration being met with only impotent and cowering silence. We're sick and tired of reading far better arguments on behalf of your own policies from the keyboards of anonymous posters on a myriad of websites than we hear from the mouths of your Administration's spokesmen (and this includes you). We're sick and tired of watching so many good men and women being slandered by the Democrats and their Press allies simply for being your nominees, without your Administration standing up to defend their honor. We're sick and tired of watching your administration compromising on the principles that got you elected, avoiding necessary confrontations, refusing to criticize even the harshest and most mendacious of your opponents, all in order to pander to an audience that hates you beyond the scope of reason.

And at the end of it all, what does your administration have to show for it? A torrent of anger, hate, lies and attacks from the other side and the Press that cannot have been any more than what you would have gotten if you had gone all out for a truly Reaganite Republican agenda and defended yourself and your administration, instead of listening to so-called "moderates/centrist" demands that you triangulate and turn the other cheek. Your continued dedication to cowering from your opponents in order to enamor yourself to the Left (or the so-called "Center") has only yielded continuously declining poll numbers for your administration and disastrous portents for your party's future as the majority party in Congress.

For goodness sake, why is it not yet obvious to you, Mr. President, that this dogged adherence to this "new tone" fantasy is actively harming you and your party? How much longer is your administration planning to continue imitating a punching bag? When, in the name all that is holy, are you going to start fighting back?! You are being overtly accused of deliberately sacrificing the lives of American soldiers in Iraq for personal gain by the Senate Democrat Leader and his Press allies, and yet you remain silent!

Why should I, or anybody else, continue to fight for someone who lacks the fortitude to defend his own honor and principles? Why should I continue to take the time to defend you when you refuse to defend yourself?

Mr. President, once again with all due respect, I implore you, stand up and fight. You were not elected to get along with Democrats or to make them like you. You were not elected to just get "things" done, but to get the "right things" done. You were elected because the American people trusted you more than the other guy to know what those "right things" are. Stand fast and fight back. Not just because you owe it to yourself, but, more importantly, because you owe it to your party, which made you their standard bearer and do not deserve to be dragged down along with you. Because you owe it to us, your supporters. Even more, you owe it to the soldiers fighting in Iraq, because you sent them there and yet they still gave you over 70% of their votes last year. And, finally, you owe it to the country, which looks to you for leadership, which needs to know that you did not send the best of its sons and daughters to die in vain.

Stand up and fight.

That is all.

Sincerely Yours
MartinAKnight

[Cboldt]

FWIW, a graphic is typically downloaded only once to your computer, which then holds the image in cache and displays it as needed. Multiple occurances of an image in one thread rarely cause an increase in network traffic.

[Cboldt]

Not even a wimper from the White House.. even a sniff.. Bergers crime is huge..

I believe the penalty delivered is the one recommended by Justice. I recall reading the filings by prosecution, and the judge gave the procsecution what the prosecution asked for.

[SweetCaroline]

I really think the GOP needs a good ass whooping in order to come to their senses and start paying attention to the base

....the only way they will listen to us, their base, is to withhold donations!

[JeffersonRepublic.com]

Wow! Thanks for the info. I'm emailing it to my mother the left-winger.

[hosepipe]

[ I recall reading the filings by prosecution, and the judge gave the procsecution what the prosecution asked for. ]

Exactly..

[Awgie]

Thanks for your fighting words. I have been feeling and posting exactly the same lately. It's way past time to start swinging back!

A man who will not stand up for himself and what he believes in is not a man to be admired.

[Southack]

"Your graphic is nice, but a complete waste of bandwidth which is an expense for FR( the FR supporters ). Displaying it once in a thread would be nice."

Modern browsers only download a graphic once per page. You can have 50 copies of the same graphic with virtually no more overhead than having the graphic displayed once.

[Southack]

"Who appoints the AG.?.. and almost all other federal judges.."

The AG doesn't get to judge-shop, and Berger's judge was and is a Clinton appointee.

[riri]

I heard a guy on the radio today talking of a Bush/Clinton cartel. And that Bush is doing this stuff purposely to help Hillary get elected.

A year ago, I would have thought him to be crazy. I can't come up with any other explanations at this point.

[Cboldt]

Oops. I was wrong. The judge increased the penalty while I wasn't looking. I can probably get links to the court papers if the cites below aren't adequate. I did read a PDF of the sentencing recommendation from Justice, as well as the request to delay sentencing (also by Justice). I may have even posted links on a thread here at FR.

... Justice Department prosecutor Noel Hillman allowed Berger to plead guilty to a misdemeanor, he requested what some consider an extraordinarily light sentence given the gravity of the crime - a $10,000 fine, a three-year suspension of Berger's security clearance and no jail time.

The recommendation for leniency was in stark contrast with the comments of Deputy Attorney General James Comey, who suggested after the document theft story broke that Berger could be headed to jail.

http://wayneb.bloghi.com/2005/07/15/sandy-berger.html

---

U.S. attorneys recommended a fine of $10,000 and a loss of security clearance for three years. However, on September 8, U.S. Magistrate Judge Deborah Robinson increased the fine to $50,000 at Berger's sentencing. Robinson stated, "The court finds the fine [recommended by government prosecutors] is inadequate because it doesn't reflect the seriousness of the offense."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sandy_Berger

[TheForceOfOne]

Thanks Southack, very impressive post.

[Southack]

"I believe the penalty delivered is the one recommended by Justice. I recall reading the filings by prosecution, and the judge gave the procsecution what the prosecution asked for."

No. The judge actually gave a larger penalty than was requested by the Prosecution (a lawyer holdover from the Clinton Administration).

[CommieCutter]

well the point I was trying to make was he's aggressive in foreign policy and is a wimp when it comes to the dems.

[listenhillary]

Ping to post 1 and 4!

[hosepipe]

[ No. The judge actually gave a larger penalty than was requested by the Prosecution (a lawyer holdover from the Clinton Administration). ]

Yeah saved by the "Unite'er not a Divide'er".. Clinton fired everybody and appointed his own pinkos.. completely.. I had a problem with BUSH from the git go when he KEPT almost ALL Clinton appointees.. saying "whats up with dat".. Been watchin him ever since.. Bush is a ringer..

[Eagle Eye]

I hope you're not dissappointed, but I'm just happy that they ergo rule was repealed. It WAS going to be extremely expensive and it WASN'T going to solve MSDs/CTDs.

There's plenty of info out there that is sound without playing false fear cards.

However you'll have to do your own research, I'm not inclined to supply propoganda for your project.

But I will be there to point out factual errors such as OSHA enforcing ADA or requiring 'typical' home based businesses to supply expensive ergonomic work stations, especially when sole proprietors aren't subject to OSHA anyway.

[Sen Jack S. Fogbound]

I cannot find the specific article regarding the reason for the tight border. I do recall that the tight border would cause collapse of Mexico and bring in the Communist Party control which we don't want! The following covers his policy....

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Home > News & Policies > January 2004

For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
January 7, 2004

Fact Sheet: Fair and Secure Immigration Reform

     

Today's Presidential Action

• Today, President Bush proposed a new temporary worker program to match willing foreign workers with willing U.S. employers when no Americans can be found to fill the jobs. The program would be open to new foreign workers, and to the undocumented men and women currently employed in the U.S. This new program would allow workers who currently hold jobs to come out of hiding and participate legally in America's economy while not encouraging further illegal behavior.
• President Bush also asked Congress to work with him to achieve significant immigration reform that protects the homeland by controlling the borders; serves America's economy by matching a willing worker with a willing employer; promotes compassion for unprotected workers; provides incentives for temporary workers to return to their home countries and families; protects the rights of legal immigrants while not unfairly rewarding those who came here unlawfully or hope to do so. This legislation must also meet the Nation's economic needs and live up to the promise and values of America.

Background on Today's Presidential Action

America is a welcoming nation, and the hard work and strength of our immigrants have made our Nation prosperous. Many immigrants and sons and daughters of immigrants have joined the military to help safeguard the liberty of America. Illegal immigration, however, creates an underclass of workers, afraid and vulnerable to exploitation. Current immigration law can also hinder companies from finding willing workers. The visas now available do not allow employers to fill jobs in many key sectors of our economy. Workers risk their lives in dangerous and illegal border crossings and are consigned to live their lives in the shadows. Without harming the economic security of Americans, reform of our Nation's immigration laws will create a system that is fairer, more consistent, and more compassionate.

• Principles of Immigration Reform -- The President's proposal is based on several basic principles:
  • Protecting the Homeland by Controlling Our Borders: The program should link to efforts to control our border through agreements with countries whose nationals participate in the program. It must support ongoing efforts to enhance homeland security.
  • Serve America's Economy by Matching a Willing Worker with a Willing Employer: When no American worker is available and willing to take a job, the program should provide a labor supply for American employers. It should do so in a way that is clear, streamlined, and efficient so people can find jobs and employers can find workers in a timely manner.
  • Promoting Compassion: The program should grant currently working undocumented aliens a temporary worker status to prevent exploitation. Participants would be issued a temporary worker card that will allow them to travel back and forth between their home and the U.S. without fear of being denied re-entry into America.
  • Providing Incentives for Return to Home Country: The program will require the return of temporary workers to their home country after their period of work has concluded. The legal status granted by this program would last three years, be renewable, and would have an end. During the temporary work period, it should allow movement across the U.S. borders so the worker can maintain roots in their home country.
  • Protecting the Rights of Legal Immigrants: The program should not connect participation to a green card or citizenship. However, it should not preclude a participant from obtaining green card status through the existing process. It should not permit undocumented workers to gain an advantage over those who have followed the rules.
• Temporary Worker Program

  President Bush does not support amnesty because individuals who violate America's laws should not be rewarded for illegal behavior and because amnesty perpetuates illegal immigration. The President proposes that the Federal Government offer temporary worker status to undocumented men and women now employed in the United States and to those in foreign countries who have been offered employment here. The workers under temporary status must pay a one-time fee to register in the program, abide by the rules, and return home after their period of work expires. There would be an opportunity for renewal. In the future, only people outside the U.S. may join the temporary worker program, and there will be an orderly system in place to address the needs of workers and companies.

  • American Workers Come First: Employers must make every reasonable effort to find an American to fill a job before extending job offers to foreign workers.
  • Workplace Enforcement of Immigration Laws: Enforcement against companies that break the law and hire illegal workers will increase.
  • Economic Incentives to Return Home: The U.S. will work with other countries to allow aliens working in the U.S. to receive credit in their nations' retirement systems and will support the creation of tax-preferred savings accounts they can collect when they return to their native countries.
  • Fair and Meaningful Citizenship Process: Some temporary workers will want to remain in America and pursue citizenship. They should not receive an unfair advantage over those who have followed the law, and they will need to be placed in line for citizenship behind those who are already in line. Those who choose the path of citizenship will have an obligation to learn the facts and ideals that have shaped America's history.
  • Reasonable Annual Increase of Legal Immigrants: A reasonable increase in the annual limit of legal immigrants will benefit those who follow the lawful path to citizenship.
• Benefits to America of the Temporary Worker Program
  • A more prosperous economy -- for America. The program would allow workers to find jobs and employers to find workers, quickly and simply.
  • A more secure homeland -- to improve the efficiency and management of all people who cross our borders. It is in the interest of the Nation, and each community, to identify foreign visitors and immigrants and make clear the nature of their intentions.
  • A more compassionate system -- to protect all workers in America with labor laws, the right to change jobs, fair wages, and a healthy work environment.
• Homeland Security and Border Enforcement
  • Border Patrol has increased from a strength of 9,788 on September 11, 2001 to 10,835 on December 1, 2003. Between ports of entry on the northern border, the size of the Border Patrol has tripled to more than 1,000 agents. In addition, the Border Patrol is continuing installation of monitoring devices along the borders to detect illegal activity.
  • The Bush Administration's Operation Tarmac was launched to investigate businesses and workers in the secure areas of domestic airports and ensure immigration law compliance. Since 9/11, DHS has audited 3,640 businesses, examined 259,037 employee records, arrested 1,030 unauthorized workers, and participated in the criminal indictment of 774 individuals.
  • President Bush announced the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS), an internet-based system that is improving America's ability to track and monitor foreign students and exchange visitors. Over 870,000 students are registered in SEVIS. Of 285 completed field investigations, 71 aliens were arrested.
  • This week, the US-VISIT program began to digitally collect biometric identifiers to record the entry and exit of aliens who travel into the U.S on a visa. Together with the standard information, this new program will confirm compliance with visa and immigration policies.

###

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[Cboldt]

No. The judge actually gave a larger penalty than was requested by the Prosecution (a lawyer holdover from the Clinton Administration).

I noticed the increase in fine from 10 grand to 50 grand. But I was curious about your assertion of "lawyer holdover from the Clinton Administration" and did a little bit of digging. Here are some details about Hillman. Good speculation in the first link below. Hillman says "no harm, no foul, the docs had no probative or historical value."

Hillman joined the Public Integrity Section as Principal Deputy Chief after nine years in the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of New Jersey. While at the U.S. Attorney's Office, Hillman served as Deputy Chief of the Criminal Division, in the Office's Fraud and Public Protection Divsion, and on detail to the Justice Department's Campaign Financing Task Force.

Daily Pundit: April 10, 2005 - April 16, 2005 Archives

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Assistant U.S. Attorney in the District of NJ from 1992 to 2001.
Joined the Criminal Division in 2001.
Noel L. Hillman Biography - 2003 Government Ethics Conference

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http://www.ivforumglobal.org.br/programacao/curriculos/NoelHillman.pdf

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Hillman has been chief of the Public Integrity Section, Criminal Division, U.S. Department of Justice since December 2002.
[That "appointment" being on President Bush's watch - but there is no Senate oversight at this level, and likely no direct involvement by the President either.]

http://www.nyu.edu/alumni/news/classnotes.shtml

[Southack]

"you'll have to do your own research, I'm not inclined to supply propoganda for your project. But I will be there to point out factual errors"

Goodness, you want to complain but not be part of the solution! Who woulda thunk it?!

[metalurgist]

You are right. I've skinned more knuckles and strained more vocal cords defending the President than his entire staff.