What is Digg?Sponsored by Travelzoo
All-time Low Fares for Thanksgiving, Christmas & New Year view!
travelzoo.com - Flights $52 and up. Nifty all-airline calendar identifies absolute cheapest dates to fly.
151 Comments
- shawnfassett, on 10/10/2007, -5/+49before the mindless get to it...i'll say it. byrd used to be a klansman. he's apologized and moved on. he was right about the war and continues to be so. you can make him a character but his old and crazy ass was right, were you???
- inactive, on 10/10/2007, -3/+31Sometimes age does bring wisdom.
- iching, on 10/10/2007, -2/+30He introduced an amendment to stop it today
Wednesday, October 03, 2007
Senator Byrd Introduces "Iran" Amendments to the Defense Appropriations Bill
Senator Robert Byrd (D-WV) introduced Amendment No. 3123 and No. 3133 to the Fiscal Year 2008 Defense Appropriations bill. The amendments would prohibit funding provided by the bill to be used for military operations or activities against any other country without explicit Congressional authorization. The text of both amendments is identical and I'm unsure why two identical amendments were submitted. The amendments do provide exceptions for certain activities. Though the amendments employ a non-country-specific approach similar to Senator Byrd's S. Res. 39, the enactment of either amendment could prevent a military confrontation with Iran. Below is the text of Amendments 3123 and 3133.
Sec. 8107. (a) None of the amounts appropriated or otherwise made available by this Act may be obligated or expended for military operations or activities against any other country without the enactment of an Act or the passage of a resolution passed by the Senate and the House of Representatives specifically authorizing such obligation or expenditure.
(b) The prohibition in subsection (a) shall not apply with respect to the following military operations or activities:
(1) Military operations or activities to directly repel an attack against the territory or the Armed Forces of the United States.
(2) Military operations or activities in hot pursuit of hostile forces who are directly engaged in combat operations against the Armed Forces of the United States.
(3) Intelligence collection activities of which Congress has been appropriately notified under applicable law.
(c) Not later than 48 hours after determining to obligate or expend amounts otherwise prohibited from obligation or expenditure under subsection (a) for purposes of a military operation or activity described in subsection (b), the President shall submit to the Committee on Armed Forces and the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate and the Committee on Armed Forces and the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives a report on such determination, including a justification for the determination.
(d) Nothing in this section shall be construed as limiting the authority of the President under Article II, Section 2, of the Constitution of the United States. - PATSCRU, on 10/10/2007, -4/+28If all the dems had balls like byrd does, we'd be in a different world now. Often, it is bird alone speaking out against the various marches of war the rest of congress and the senate seems content to let happen. He often speaks at eloquently and at great lengths in that aging voice of his with lucidity that escapes many other elected officials. It's a shame that this will probably be his last term.
- whatthefu, on 10/10/2007, -3/+19People will use others' pasts against them all the time in politics. Being a klansmen or communist is a big no-no and even if you're accepted by the general public you will still get hammered for it from time to time, regardless of whether or not its fair. Both liberals and conservatives take advantage of this sort of ad hominem, and it gets kind of tedious. Lesson of the day: focus on the issues, not the people arguing against your own ideology!
- TheHydrogens, on 10/10/2007, -2/+14Thats because Republicans don't realize that this is a stupid, loaded phrase that doesn't really mean anything. It is all a matter of how you want to phrase things. I would prefer to call it "stop getting our troops blown the ***** up", but I suppose Republicans would be opposed to that too. Way to have the balls to get people killed for ***** reasons guys, way to go.
- Jaymo89, on 10/10/2007, -1/+13So (ex-)racist people cannot make rational decisions in non-race related issues?
- davmattucci, on 10/10/2007, -1/+12He's one of few Dems with balls left. I wish they could all legislate knowing that their time here, however young they are, is passing... My party has let me down since last fall. They should all know this.
- Waiting2awake, on 10/10/2007, -1/+12Sure thing - BTW - I am still waiting for you guys to do the same for:
WMDs
Saddam and 911 connection
Bring democracy
Being greated as liberators
It isn't about the OIL
etc
etc
etc
The patriot Act
The wiretapping
the secret prisons
the torturing
etc
etc
etc
The reality is, maybe the US doesn't attack Iran(It would be brain dead to do so) but maybe Israel does. Are you going to say, with honesty, that those decisions are not made with collusion with America? And vice-versa? - wageslaven, on 10/10/2007, -2/+11Only in America could a Communist have the same public perception as a klan-member. Americafails at Civics 101.
- Waiting2awake, on 10/10/2007, -0/+9I once worked with a German lady that lived in Germany during the war. We discussed the war, and philosophy a lot and when I asked her why the German people - all of whom that I have met have been honourable and considerate and just really dsciplined both mentally and physically - why they didn't do something when it was clear which side of the line they were on. She claimed(I thought she was lying, until I started watching the same thing happen in the States recently) that they never knew, that they had no idea what was happening around them and in the world. I also asked her about the concentration camps and what I assumed would be an awful, obvious smell of the burning and rotting flesh. She claimed that the government had told them it was this, or that, and that they simply didn't know the level of horror Germany had devolved to.
I always thought she was just too embarrassed to speak the truth - but now I see how easy it is to snow an entire population. As my father once said to me; Son, how do you get a Nun to go down on you? One small step at a time. The idea is that if you move slow enough, people are willing to make those small changes, because each step is not a big deal, until afterwards you realize how far you have come, merely going one small step at a time. You wake up, and the country you remember is gone, and in its place stands something inhuman, unamerican and just plain wrong! - StarlessKnight, on 10/10/2007, -0/+9Section (a): Declare war before you wage war on another country. Like that logic's ever going to work.
- djm5586, on 10/10/2007, -3/+11I'm waiting for the day when Bush and Hitler are talked about on the same page in the history books, and this man wins a Nobel peace prize.
- Waiting2awake, on 10/10/2007, -0/+7 It is good that some are coming out against this, but am I the only one that thinks that it will take a lot more than a few nice words of warning to stop this? What is the feeling in the States about a war with Iran? You guys know that - that would be the straw that breaks your backs right?
- geddon, on 10/10/2007, -0/+7As the Nazi's were caught in a wave of Nationalism after being humiliated on the world stage, history looked back at them as evil sheep who turned a blind eye to the atrocities which were illuminated clearly in hindsight. With the details that are continuously uncovered due to the Freedom of Information Act, we can see the same picture forming of a cold, calculating, methodical country hellbent on dominating the global economy, where the loss of lives are simply incalculable. How does it feel to be an evil sheep?
- Haggertus, on 10/10/2007, -2/+9Also a WV resident here. I can't believe you don't realize the good Byrd has done for our state. I'm willing to bet you drive on his roads, went to a school he got funding for, or even have been treated at a medical center that he brought in. Not to mention the thousands of jobs he has created by bringing federal facilities to the state.
Call this pork spending if you want, but our state would be worse off with out it. If this money didn't end up in WV some other senator would have brought it home to there own home state. Wait until he's not in office and we don't have a senior member of the appropriations committee in Washington, you'll see what he did for us then.
It really baffles me when people write him off just because he's old. I'm glad this "senile old man" had the balls to vote against this war with Iran, and has the balls to stand up to the president. - TheHydrogens, on 10/10/2007, -4/+11That was entirely off topic, and very poorly written.... -1
- sonaboy, on 10/10/2007, -0/+7uh huh. Byrd amended his ways and became an extended service office holder. the naacp gives him one of their highest ratings when it comes to issues sensitive to the black community.
Thurmond, on the other hand, talked as if he amended his ways, but never really acted or voted in a way that backs it up. He's a hypocrite and remained that way all the way to his death.
Byrd's not a "hero." But he's at least honest about who he is and votes accordingly. - positron, on 10/10/2007, -0/+7Never mistake a steady deliberate march for sleep walking...
- wageslaven, on 10/10/2007, -1/+7The republicans still control the governmnet, and unless you want the Democrats to fillibuster, there is nothing they can do. Bush wont pass what they send him anyway.
Republicans have succeeded in convincing the American people that the current Congress is responsible for all these GOP cluster-fcuks.
It is their _plan_ to prevent anything from being passed in order to smear Democrats with their GOP stink. - Haggertus, on 10/10/2007, -5/+11Says the "RedNeckerson" with a confederate flag avatar.
- Waiting2awake, on 10/10/2007, -1/+7Sadly, when the history records this time period, our grandkids will be wondering why we didn't act against Bush and Cheney when it was beyond a shadow of doubt something was up(end of 2003?).
- geddon, on 10/10/2007, -1/+6If all the dems had balls like Kucinich does, we'd be in a different world now.
- Waiting2awake, on 10/10/2007, -0/+5By "Them" you are referring to America right?
- themastersb, on 10/10/2007, -1/+5Simply barbaric! BARBARIC! Let that word resound!
- geddon, on 10/10/2007, -1/+5It's not all that different being a Communist vs. a Klansman? ARE YOU SERIOUS? One of these things center their resources around communes, the other centers their hatred around people of color. CAN YOU TELL THE DIFFERENCE?
- MacEnvy, on 10/10/2007, -0/+4That was a great speech, I'll give Byrd that.
- RavagesOfTime, on 10/10/2007, -1/+5Is he wrong about Iran?
- TheZorch, on 10/10/2007, -2/+6America is turning into a Right-Wing Christian Fascist State right before our eyes and NOBODY can see it? Yes, we're struggling to pay for the Iraq War how can be handle a war with Iran? My friends don't see it but I fear that before this is said and done we'll be in another American Civil War before this ***** is finally over with.
- mchristiansen, on 10/10/2007, -4/+8And if the "racist old looney" was speaking out in favor of an invasion of Iran, the right would be praising his courage.
- kholburn, on 10/10/2007, -0/+4He may have been a Klansman but isn't it Christian to forgive skeletons in people's past? Especially ones that are out of the closet so to speak.
- EllisAshbrook, on 10/10/2007, -0/+4The problem with resolutions like Byrd's is that it presumes that the President has the authority to go to war UNLESS Congress explicitly prohibits such action.
- HarryBauzonia, on 10/10/2007, -1/+4Hate can't be beaten by Hate, but it can be beaten by Good with the balls to fight. Apparently taking action scares you, and you make yourself feel better by attacking people who have the guts you don't have.
- fatbert, on 10/10/2007, -1/+4Robert Byrd remembers his first Senate meeting. Lucius Junius Brutus had overthrown Tarquin, and needed a wise old man for what he called the "Senate." So he chose Robert Byrd.
- brstilson, on 10/10/2007, -3/+6Republicans are the world's racist schoolyard bully, picking fights with brown-skinned people the world over.
- facereplacer, on 10/10/2007, -2/+5Regardless of the level of hate Byrd has for brown people in general (joke), the fact remains that the US cannot afford another war. Sencond, the repercussions of such an effort can not be anticipated. An attack or invasion of Iran would go on to further destabilize the middle east, causing unforeseen detriment to relationships we have with (supposedly) friendly nations like Pakistan or (gulp) Saudi Arabia. This war can NOT be allowed to move forward. The government is to answer to the people, not the other way around. If they initiate another war, it will be those of us who want no part of it paying for the bulk of it, along with our children their children, and the soldiers and civilians who would die.
It's super easy to write your Senators and representatives online everyone. I have already written my senators and the representative of my district twice on this matter. If they don't hear from us, they will just assume we're all okay with it. So google up your reps. Call their office or write them! - Waiting2awake, on 10/10/2007, -2/+5If they do, then the US should need a full blown beating. Stop being a bully and grow up. It didn't work for Germany either.
- Waiting2awake, on 10/10/2007, -1/+4Why?
- inactive, on 10/10/2007, -1/+4Iran is no threat to the US, the US is a threat to Iran. By your logic Iran has every right to start bombing you. Not that they could, but that would be way more justified than the other way around. And guess what? The whole world knows this.
- ReeseKaine, on 10/10/2007, -2/+5I've lived in WV for 28 years, and for some reason the racist bigot ***** come out to condemn Byrd every time he says that war isn't necessary. As if it was okay to wipe out an entire culture of folk with different colored-skin. Bottom-line: Closet-KKK and people against the elderly see Byrd as a traitor of sorts, and that *****'s gotta stop. Byrd has redeemed himself against his KKK roots, and is trying to keep the U.S. out of serious trouble.
Relax, he'll be gone eventually. But for now, just let him do his damn job, which is serving his state, his people, and his country. He's not the best, but he's pretty good considering the alternatives. - jessehadden, on 10/10/2007, -0/+3Imagine that -- Congressional oversight over war! Requiring Congressional approval to go to war! Seems like those should be things in the Constitution...
- Waiting2awake, on 10/10/2007, -2/+5They are no threat to America - and they are complying with the UN - so chillax and stop being a coward.
- bshock, on 10/10/2007, -0/+3The situation in the U.S. Senate is truly horrifying. This must be a bit like what the passengers on the 9/11 airliners felt as they saw themselves approaching the WTC.
Oh no, equating the U.S. Senate to terrorists? That can't possibly be appropriate. After all, it's not as though the U.S. Senate is participating in the deaths of thousands of innocent people...
Oh, wait. - Gillagad, on 10/10/2007, -0/+3Preemptive strikes can never be justified unless the threat of war is immediate. Your logic is "well we COULD have to fight them in the future so why not take them out now when its easier". Under that logic we should have attacked the USSR just after WWII before the got the bomb just because the MIGHT have got the bomb and we COULD have to fight them later on.
- Anntink, on 10/10/2007, -0/+2I think this might be the only time I've ever agreed with Byrd on anything. Having said that, however, I must admit that he is one of the few remaining true statesmen in Congress; the rest of them have been pretty much replaced by trailer park trash!
- sonaboy, on 10/10/2007, -0/+2if you actually had any reading comprehension skills, you would have noticed that I said this very thing above. Yes, he meant it and he's been working well for his constituents for decades with a high approval rating from blacks and whites alike.
- weareglass, on 10/10/2007, -1/+3Are your only grounds for him being a horrible senator his getting money for infrastructure improvements in WV? The fact is we are one of the poorest states in the nation, and if we didn't have federal aid things would only get worse. Being a state in the union is not about only benefitting the states that are already in good stead, it's about helping each state to be strong. Would you say the same thing about Louisiana?
And moreover, even if Byrd's politics since 2000 were the only reason to re-relect him, I'd do it again in a heartbeat. I wish more Dems would stand up for what they believe in. - TheDreadDiggerD, on 10/10/2007, -0/+2That's politics.
- TheFinaleofSeem, on 10/10/2007, -0/+2Typical Digg response. Making a comment on how Diggers are ineffective at doing anything more than harassing other websites makes you a Neocon, and an inbred one to boot! You can be a leftist and still be fed up with the attitude around here.
- TrueXtremeIcon, on 10/10/2007, -1/+3Pork Barrel spending always sucks when its not your state getting the money.
And as a West Virginian who has benefited from the money Byrd brings in to this state (Biotechnology centers for the university, hospitals, etc. etc.) I am not going to complain one bit. -
Show 51 - 100 of 151 discussions
Browsing Digg on your phone just got easier with our enhancements to the 
© Digg Inc. 2009
— Content created and posted by Digg users is