I can't figure this one out at all. Either W is not the man I thought he was, or he is REALLY playing rope-a-dope (a theory I've seen on this one). I just don't get it. Maybe she's so bad no one will confirm so we move on to a REAL pick? She seems weaker than O'Connor and that's saying something. But I haven't had time to read or hear more than snippets.
I really am starting to wonder if the Republicans aren't much stronger and healthier as a minority obstructionist party. They really do not seem to be able to handle success at all. What an embarassment. I hope someone can come up with something that cheers me up!
I cannot endorse or condemn CINCs' choice for SCOTUS, all I can do is attempt to understand it. Since most of us will never be privy to the actual motivations behind the choice, we are limited to analysis.
My call is that Bush has lost confidence in his quarterback(Republican Senators) and has decided he needs to tuck the ball and score himself(nomineee v. dem senators). All conservatives were aching for the big fight that a Jones or Estrada type would have fomented. Bush made the call that the Republican Senate would roll and not fight the fight; he decided that his nominee had to win the fight on her own and picked the best person for that job.
This pick is a vote of no confidence in the Republican Senate. Just like a coach pulling his quarterback, it doesn't matter that you're sending a message of weakness to the other team. You are making the change and all focus is on the future.
Let us all focus our efforts on getting the right Republicans in office next year.
I would have like the Pres to go for the brass ring, which of course he didn't. But he does have a landmined obstacle course to get through here, and between the Dems being shocked into stupor, along with the rest of us, maybe their infighting will keep them from being unified in opposition. I personally would have relished a fight over the right of a minority candidate to be conservative, but I'm not sure that type of fight would trump how this lady will potentially rule, which I think is going to be more pleasing than any of us thinks right now. Thank goodness she only voted for Gore the first go around...
I'm disappointed that the pres didn't want to challenge the Dems on his appointing a real conservative (who has a paper trail), but perhaps he made the best decision he could with what he had. I think it has less to do with the current troubles of Repubs, which are just inexplicable to me, and more to do with pushing her through. I don't know enough about the other people he might have chosen, and what kind of baggage they would have carried into the Senate confirmation process.
It's nice to think of the Supreme Court being a place for our best, most astute legal minds but I think the ultimate goal is to get an originalist on the court, to replace the too often left leaning O'Connor. Then, along with Roberts, it's a win. Someone like Ted Olson, who I like very much, would be a brilliant choice if the court were only a showcase for brilliant legal minds. Ultimately the pres had to appoint someone who could win, deflect the ire of the Dems, and get on with reading the constitution as it was written. I'm not sure he hasn't done that, as counterintuitive as it may seem.
Hey George "W",
What the @#$% over? After your reelection you said, "I have some political capital and I aim to spend it". You didn't spend it on our borders and you sure are doing nothing with it in the form of Harriet Miers! I haved backed you before but you're draggin political booty on the base of the republican party. Yikes, that's a scary picture!
It's a good choice. Ms. Miers is a conservative that even Lincoln Chafee and those two ladies from Maine can vote for. She's a trusted advisor of the President and supports his policies re: the GWOT. Her credentials with respect to the role of the judiciary are supported by strict constructionists such as Dr. James Dobson and Jay Sekulow. She's taken principled positions with respect to issues on "life" v. "choice". She's held prestigious positions in her field including being the Managing Partner of a major law firm. She's known as a consensus builder (like Roberts), but has also been referred to as "a bulldog in a size 6 shoe."
There are some important cases ahead for the court. IMHO, it's better to have someone on the court who will support the President than to engage the Senate democrats in yet another food fight over a nominee.
With Ms. Miers, the President has pulled the rug out from under the democrats. While they will still kick and scream, she will most likely be approved.
Give the President some credit on this one. He observed what happened in his father's administration and knows the consequences of making an uninformed choice. He's shown courage in the face of overwhelming opposition with all of his other judicial appointments. He deserves our support with this nominee as well.
Did I mention she's 60?
Yes, you mentioned she's 60. I have to admit some prejudice here, but 60 is not sooooooo old. After all, Ronald Reagan was 68 years old when he was elected President.
Besides, she seemed pretty chipper to me going up the steps of the Capitol to meet with the enemy - I mean Senators today.
Maybe she's a marathoner, I don't know. But I do know that a 60 yo lady is going to go tits up before 45 yo lady pretty much every time. Ann Coulter for SCOTUS!
Ann Coulter would have been my choice...if only to watch the Dims heads explode. I was hoping Michael Luttig or Clements.
After listening to the local talk radio today (she's from Dallas so they interviewed local folks who know her) I felt better about her. I agree with STREETER's post but someone (maybe Rush) stated earlier today that Bush might not have wanted to go to battle with this group of Republicans as his warriors. That doesn't say much for them. Her age is just one of the items on my con list but I trust Jay Sekulow and he believes she fits the originalist pledge Bush made.
Peg's right. Shame on the Senate Republicans for consistently failing to push the agenda through. I'm still disappointed we didn't utilize the nuclear option.
Personally, aside from her being 60, I'm very content with this choice. I've watched Gee-Dub run circles around his political opponents for the past 5 years, always being 2-3 steps ahead of them darned libs.
I think he knows something the rest of us don't. He has known her and worked with her for a long time... yet she has flown just under the radar. Even if Hugh Hewitt hadn't said it, I figure Gee-Dub knows she's an ace in the hole.
My beloved POTUS has yet to drop the ball on any of the big decisions thus far (as I see it anyways). I have faith he didn't this time either, and it's just him running another lap around them darned Dems.
The age 60 thing bothers me but the Harry Reid liking her thing bothers me a whole lot more. I will say that she appears to support the 2nd amendment in a way few judges have the guts to do in writing. She voted for Algore but I can't hate her for that; I voted for a million idiot Dems myself. OTOH one ones for more consistent philosophy in one's justices, growth and maturity notwithstanding.
Being the Rush podcasters that we are, we listened to Cheney on Rush yesterday defending this. Talk about disappointing boilerplate! Don't bother listening to Cheney.
I would not want to be a Republican fundraiser! Look for possible mass suicides in their ranks. Most of the mailings I've gotten for 5 years have focused on the urgency of the correct SCOTUS choices, and now this happens. Not One More Dime is my mantra and the fundraisers will quickly sicken of hearing it from me.
Put as good a spin on this as you want...unless Dems unearth some stuff that they find truly heinous (meaning we love it) - and actually my bet is the blogosphere will beat the Dems at unearthing any revealing writings and statements from Miers - she either is a safe bet neither side can truly oppose or she's a fake-out for a real nominee like Luttig (my personal preference) or Brown. Or she truly and miraculously is a stealth conservative candidate. Knowing W I think she's a safe bet. I hope I'm wrong and ExSubNuke is right. Either way, the Republicans don't get another dime from me.
In the first paragraph that should have read "One HOPES for more...", etc. Preview would be my friend...
"I do know that a 60 yo lady is going to go tits up before 45 yo lady"
Hey Froggy - What would be the male equivalent of this expression?
Perhaps the President has bigger fish to fry. Do you want to fight now and risk losing the rest of the political agenda, like the war, drilling in Alaska, cutting waste, building roads... etc.
The Dems have OK'ed her, there will be a smooth approval. I don't think either side desires a knock down drag out battle. Also, if the Demos filibuster her, either go to the Nuke option, or put in a well known conservative and then go Nuke. We win either way. Time for Frist to fish or cut bait.
I think she is a sleeper, a great conservative vote. I had questions, too, at first. The people I trust the most are confident that she will be good: the President (we love this guy!!), Dr Dobson (this is not a token endorsement for Dr Dobson), Jay Sekulow, and Hugh Hewitt. I trust these people.
I pray for our country every day,
God bless
JoeS
Go ahead and withhold funds from Republicans. Then you will have a President, like John Kerry, making an appointment, like Hillary Clinton. Would you like spending the next THREE DECADES reading about her activities on the SCOTUS?
Geez, I think there were much better picks but can we have a little perspective?
Matt -
I think I did hear that she _is_ a runner, and possibly a marathoner.
The ageism here surprises me.
Yes, the average life expectancy in the US hovers in the 70's, but that's a population average... it gets pulled down by youths on motorcycles, dueling drug dealers, etc.
By the time you've reached middle age and outgrown youthful risk-taking, your odds of surviving longer are quite good.
One of the fastest-growing population groups in the US is the over-80 crowd.
I don't see the age issue as that big a deal.
Froggy,
Ever been to Texas?
First Rule of (Female) Texas Etiquette is - the FIRST woman to show up with cookies and coffee is the Head Hen and Rules the Roost. All this with your hair done, and dressed well.
Harriet was the first woman president of Dallas Bar association and first woman president of the Texas Bar Association. Dallas City Council. All this during the LBJ and post-LBJ political landscape in Texas. All this in the most conservative region of the most conservative state in the USA.
She knows the law very well and has a very broad background and is highly respected by her peers. She understands politics better than any modern pick. No one will be able to snow her on any issue.
Look at it another way - one of the toughest lawyers and politicians in the state of Texas who became the highest counsel in the land was just named to the Supreme Court.
I think its a good pick.
Does anyone think mabe Roberts was approved BECAUSE Miers was next? Just a thought.
Also possble that GWB nominated her to get the GOP Senators riled up for the fight on the real nominee. "If you don't like her - how hard are you willing to fight?"
As I see it she does not have the qualities of a member of SCOTUS regardless of her political stripe. This is blatant cronyism
Ageism? I wouldn't accuse Matt of ageism or sexism but realism. Accuse me of sexism -- I don't believe in nominating women for anything just because they are women. Then again I am extremely hard on women and they rarely fail to disappoint me.
Janice Rogers Brown would have been a far superior choice if you're going for a female, and there are plenty of superior judicial intellects in the male ranks as well.
I stand by my comments on the age issue... I don't think it's as strong a criticism as some of the other points at issue. Besides, one could make an equally valid argument that age/experience is a benefit, not a liability.
As for sexism, I agree; I wouldn't nominate someone simply because of an extra X chromosome... but that's not the point I was making.
I'm not bothered by her age at all.
Plus, she's been advising the Pres; how dumb or un-sharp can she be?
But I think, after looking at Drudge just now, that conservatives are going to be REALLY upset now.
More of the same from the republicats. I suppose it beats the alternative. At least kerrey was an obvious socialist.
Love the "Bohdi" quote. How'bout Josie Wales speaking to Chief Two Bears, something about forked tongues... Great Blog Matt.
Realistically, the President had to name a woman to replace O'Connor and while McConnell and Lutig are known quantities with excellent records, this just wasn't their time. Janice Rogers Brown would have been my preference, but there is no way that she would have been confirmed by the Senate. She, Priscilla Owen and Edith Clement are all serving at the appellate level and if nominated for SCOTUS would have to be replaced. Since most cases never get to the top court anyway, positioning these excellent conservatives at the appellate level seems like good strategy.
The country is tired of controversy at this point. We're in the middle of a global war that the left is working feverishly to politicize and have significant issues to deal with domestically as well. Apart from the fact that I believe Miers to be a good appointment, we just don't need another frenzied fight in the presently constituted Senate - especially now with candidates gearing up for re-election and/or a bid for the Presidency in 2008.
Yesterday, CSPAN re-ran a speech that Miers gave to a group of Republican lawyers in April 2005. Her comments provide good insight into her character and her views. It's worth checking out.
I would have liked Janice Rogers Brown myself but, here we are.
I've been all over the blogosphere and truthfully, I think my beloved fellow-Conservatives are overreacting. First of all, she has just been nominated, she's not been confirmed yet. She must go through the process, and if she is found to be wanting by the Republicans she will not be confirmed. Secondly, I think a lot of the anger and anxiety is due to "Harriet Who?" It was the first time I've heard of her, but she is, after all, "Innocent until proven Guilty."
I hate seeing my fellow Conservatives act like Democrats, and some (not all) are.
Do we bail out on President Bush because he didn't make the decision we thought he should have made. Let's at least keep somewhat of an open mind.
I recommend you read this excellent article (recommended by Hugh Hewitt) from The American Thinker by Thomas Lifton: http://www.americanthinker.com/
a...article_id=4876.
Have a great day! Breathe deeply and pray.
Well, let's see...I'm 56 now, so that means I should just give up all hope of what in 4 years? I'm sorry guys, but this is REALLY a hot button issue with me. Having spent the last THREE YEARS trying to convince people that I am NOT too old to do what I have been doing for the past 30 years, I find myself redefining my own goals. I've been chasing this thing for so long I'm beginning to come to the conclusion that if it refuses to be caught, I probably don't want it! Time for me to go solo at last. Wish me luck starting my own business because I've had it with the corporate sham called ageism!!
I have been in print and photography for the past 30 years in case anyone is curious.
Carol
Oh my God!! This guy says is BEST!
October 4, 2005
Many Don't Grasp Strategy of Miers Nomination
By Thomas Lifson
http://realclearpolitics.com/
Com...10_4_05_TL.html
Re agegism: Not only is Froggy a chick magnet, but he attracts us from many levels of life experience, too.
I bet not everyone can say THAT. And I agree with Red River on this: a Texas woman at her age is a force to reckon with!! They may talk sweet but they are tough as nails. Who do you think gives birth to all the cowboys there?
More for the book.
(kiss kiss)...
Beth, I didn't see your comment when I posted about the same article.
It's a good one!
dellbabe, Karen Hughes was about as close to W for years as one can be and she seemed to be great. However, she is now sucking up to the Muslims. So being a close advisor to W in and of itself may not mean what we thought it did. As for Lifson, that may be the best spin we can find on this whole thing. I do hope W is more shrewd than this pick would make him appear. He certainly seems to be giving conservatives the finger!
Carol, I hear ya and I'm right behind ya. According to Matt I'll be going tits up soon myself (a pretty disgusting image if I do say so). I guess we'd better search around for our cyanide caps...
I want to be around when all the guys here start talking about having to pee 6 times a night. Heh.
Roger on the chick magnet thing for Froggy!
Peg C.
Let's save the cyanide caps for some people who really deserve 'em. If I go out it will definately be with a very fine bottle of 12 year old scotch! Jonnie Walker Red anyone? Or black? Don't have the bucks to do BLUE label! Guess I'll have to save up my pennies.
Let's give Miers a chance. She hasn't had a chance and EVERYBODY deserves one of those, don't you think? I must admit that I jumped to the same conclusions as most others...but in my case it was Harry Reid's endorsement that was like fingernails on a chalk board. Geez that jerk rattles my cage!!! In any case a PROPER hearing is only fair. Even if old dingy Harry likes her (ughhh)
Carol
Peg C.
"I want to be around when all the guys here start talking about having to pee 6 times a night. Heh."
Geez, Peg, you wanna give away ALL of our trade secrets? ;D
Carol
I hear what you're saying, Peg.
Adele
Carol, for me it was Upchuck Schumer (I'll take cyanide before I call him my senator) endorsing Miers even more than Reid. I despise Schumer the way Dems despise Delay. I concur on the Johnny Walker, though. Going out with the Blue Label liqueur would be the best;too bad it's discontinued.
Read Power Line on Miers. I have great respect for them and they're not happy either.
Couldn't resist posting this after Carol's comment about the Scotch:
By following the simple advice I heard on a Dr. Phil Show, I have finally found Inner Peace. Dr. Phil proclaimed that the way to achieve Inner Peace is to finish all the things you have started.
So I looked around my house to find the things I started and hadn't finished; and before leaving the house this morning I finished off a bottle of Merlot, a bottle of Chardonnay, a bottle of Baileys, a bottle of Scotch, a package of Oreos, a pot of coffee, the rest of the cheesecake, some Saltines and a box of Godiva Chocolates.
You have no idea how freaking good I feel!
*******
Dellbabe: Thanks and Welcome to Froggyland! It's a beautiful thing!
Carol: Congratulations on your new endeavor. I wish you all the best - there's nothing like being your own boss! I, too, am starting a business as an Insurance Agent (P&C, Life and Health).
Froggy: You know I love you to pieces, but please lay off the age thing. I'll be 52 in November. I've never felt better - pass for 30-something, and look forward to the next 50 years as the best yet.
Afterall, Colonel Sanders didn't start KFC until he was in his mid-60s!
Froggy,
Well, it seems we actually agree on something! But for different reasons.
I like Roberts, but Miers has no experience on the bench. After being criticized for making "payback appointments" in regards to Brown in FEMA, it kinda looks like he's doing the same thing here.
She may indeed be qualified, but I'd feel better with someone who's actually been a judge.
I'm with Peg C. Women appointed or elected have continually disappointed me with their socialist tendencies. On the age thing, what most concerns me is her familiarity with technology and ability to connect to the potential. I'm afraid at 60 she isn't going to get "it". Even Roberts may not get "it", depends if they ever use anything more than their law software and search engines or even if all of that is relegated to clerks. That is more important I think.
Froggy, great blog here. Though I admire Hugh's opinion and the Lifson article notwithstanding, I have to disagree with them on this issue. Bush is acting like a whipped puppy. It may be a product of all that has happened lately, setbacks in Iran and the two hurricanes, but he seems to be tired, without much fight left in him. Where is that political capital he was going to spend? The only thing he has been spending is our kid's future. Harriet Miers may be a tough Texas woman, but she is 60 and whether we like it or not, chances are she will go tits up (or to the side depending on her age and implant status) before a younger nominee would. I also don't agree Bush needed to pick a woman. Affirmative Action is a bad idea whether the workplace is a fire department or the Supreme Court. The best qualified person should be selected and confirmed based on their qualifications and experience, not who their buddy is. Harriet Miers may very well be a great justice and a cohesive force to the bench but there are better choices out there and they also deserve a chance.
I think we're all guessing here. Among my 'whatifs' is this one: What if 6 or more of the squishy RINOs made it clear they wouldn't support a Luttig, a McConnell or another hot dog originalist?Where does that leave the CINC?
It leaves him back where he was with the VEEPstakes: As with Cheney, the chooser became the chosen.
It is plausible, then, that under this 'whatif' the stealthy HM was the most conservative nominee the CINC could sneak under Ralph Neas' radar.
So I'm inclined to trust the CINC. Who else can I trust, where else can I, as a conservative, turn?
I'm a big Hewitt fan, and I admire his dogged defense of HM. But we know so little of the things we want to know about her. So I have to admit the facts we DO know don't seem terribly persuasive now, do they?
Beth, thanks... but it's me, Adele... Sorry, I switched to using my email name.
Beth,
By following the simple advice I heard on a Dr. Phil Show, I have finally found Inner Peace. Dr. Phil proclaimed that the way to achieve Inner Peace is to finish all the things you have started.
So I looked around my house to find the things I started and hadn't finished; and before leaving the house this morning I finished off a bottle of Merlot, a bottle of Chardonnay, a bottle of Baileys, a bottle of Scotch, a package of Oreos, a pot of coffee, the rest of the cheesecake, some Saltines and a box of Godiva Chocolates.
You have no idea how freaking good I feel!
OH YES I DO!!!
Carol
PS Peg C. Thanks for the Powerline tip. I read them all the time. They are great.
To all,
Can we "can" the tits up comments now?
Jack Lavelle,
regarding your post.
I'm from New York. My senators are Schumer and Clinton plus representative McCarthy. Need I say more!
Therefore I have no representation.
As a conservative I start here at Froggy's,then to Hugh Hewitt, Michele Malkin,Power Line to name a few and to this site for flash movies that make my spirit strong.
http://patriotfilesannex.org/
So like you and many others I am inclined to trust President Bush, I believe he knows that the stakes are very high.
Toni -- What is "it?" Elaborate.
Look at Drudge NOW. The Dems have found Miers Achilles' Heel -- she's a born again Christian who is pro-life and anti-sodomy. Here we go.
Somehow I suddenly just started liking her a little better. 
The Federalist Papers show that the very purpose of "Advise and Consent" was supposed to be to avoid cronyism and corruption. You know, the avoidance of the Prez appointing his bagmen, "Brownies", and smilin' Abe Fortas's to High Judicial or cabinet offices.
Hamilton and company knew how corrupt and nepotic the Courts of Europe were, and wished to avoid the packing of bribers and incompetents into American Gov't.
We know how incestuous DC has become. Senator's spouses, sons and daughters from both Parties waddle up to the K Street lobbyist feeding trough. "Wow, you're Tom Dashle's wife! I had no idea the head of the transportation committee had such a brilliant persuasive potential lobbyist in his house! How about a job with Kranz, Shimmelman, Fogarty, and Levine? We serve Boeing, and your hiring is perfectly legal!"
Harriet Miers nomination is in this long tradition of cronyism and insider corruption.
She is also 60+, less qualified than several thousand conservative men, and several hundred distinguished women attorneys in high office or well-experienced in lower judicial offices.
If she hadn't been Bush's friend and had been born with a penis, the odds of Miers ever being considered for SCOTUS would be astronomical.
PS - Does this idea of permanent seats that Bush buys into - seats based on ethnic and gender ID now mean that we must replace Souter with a celibate or gay New Englander? Is there a "black seat"? An "Italian-Catholic seat"? And are there now 2 guaranteed Jewish seats, though they are only 2% of the population, to be gender-split? Can a Hispanic male only be appointed in place of a ...*spit*... white male oppressor by Republican & Dem criteria???
PS2 - Does anyone know who Hillary's personal lawyer is"
If we concede that President Bush nominated Meirs from a position of weakness how does that reflect on the Republican Senate and House. After all, that is where his real strength lies. If he can't trust them to guard his back he has little choice but to play safe. If that is true, what is the future of the conservative movement?
Not that I buy that premise. I still think the President may be dumb like a fox. Having no other choice, I'll take that one until proven otherwise.
JasonT
Before ya'all panic, you are going to find out that this fine lady USED to be a Liberal. When she became a Born Again Christian, she literally "saw the light" and is a staunch, conservative Republican. She'll do just fine, and be a lot more reliable than O'Connor ever was.
You mean she'll side against the Boy Scouts?!
Peg C.
Did I see you mention that Johny Walker Blue Label has been discontinued? YIKES!!! What time does the licquor store open in the morning? Why is it that all good things must come to an end????
Rich
They still have the Gold label, which isn't too much different. Personally, I'm happy with Black label (my drink of choice, actually) There's just enough bite to slow me down!
Folks, once the liberal D's figure Harriet Miers out, they've got to put on a full-fledged attack that makes a combined Robert Bork/Clarence Thomas free-for-all look tame by comparison.
GWB (and more to the point, Dick Cheney & Karl Rove) are using this nomination to strike right at the heart of one of the primary Democratic fund raising/interest groups. Ask yourself where almost all of Harriet Miers entire career has been spent - in corporate defense work.
The corporate world is flat out thrilled over her choice, because they've got somebody (assuming she is confirmed) who will take point over the excesses of the trial lawyers for a long time, and guess group what is a major income source (and influence source) for the Democratic party.
The Democrats will have to make a frontal assault on her, and by defination, that means attacking her (and corporate America's candidate) with everything they've got. Think about the consequences of doing that going into the 2006 election cycle (not pretty for the Democratic party fundraising).
The Democratic party is so fixated over Roe v. Wade that GWB & Team have been able to "put one where they ain't", and the D's are just now starting to scramble to catch up.
There's a lot more here than is visible (and she is a good choice)...
My .02
Art -- really like your .02!! Thanks! I think, perhaps, just maybe, we have once again misunderestimated GW.
Even after all these interesting comments, and a couple of days, I still feel I need to wait and see. There is so much 'maybe' this, and unsubstatiated that... Now is the time to dig, to find out what she really is (and I'm pretty sure the Dems are digging furiously) and THEN we'll see what we want to do. I understand your sentiment, Froggy, but I don't think it would really be wise to put Coulter up, as much fun as that would be. I think we were all so geared up to roll 'em up and take it outside with the senate Dems, we aren't ready to consider that the bloodbath might not be the best strategy. Or GWB has really screwed us for the next 20 years...I hope not.
In honor of all the lively debate of the last two days, which can only indicate one thing: that people are involved passionately in the process of this great republic, I offer this quote:
"Cherish, therefore, the spirit of our people, and keep alive their
attention. Do not be too severe upon their errors, but reclaim
them by enlightening them. If once they become inattentive to the
public affairs, you and I, and Congress, and Assemblies, Judges,
and Governors, shall all become wolves."
-- Thomas Jefferson (letter to Edward Carrington, 16 January 1787)
Reference: The Learning of Liberty, Prangle, 111.
Art, you make a lot of sense! I'm dialing back my outrage until we find out more. It would be damned clever of W to outfox Republicans as well as Democrats with a pick that at first outrages the conservative base and then sends the libs circling for a kamikaze strike over this pro-life stance. I think Lifson is correct in that conservatives have fallen into the Dems' game of instant gratification outrage and attack, partly because the righty media is very effective now. We are badly spoiling for a fight since the Gang of 14 left us all revved up and no one to fight, so now Republicans are fighting each other and Dems are pointing and cheering.
As you say, there is a good possibility W snookered Reps even more than Dems and got us outraged out of the gate only to have the Dems go even more insane right after. If this was planned, it is as brilliant a political strategy as any I've ever seen...in which case Machiavelli ain't got nothin' on W.
The Dems have been saying for years that he's Machiavellian. He might as well BE Machiavellian (and entertain us, too), as long as he's already getting the credit
I'd like to see the Dems attack a woman whose never been married (they will have some naval gazing over this, I can guarantee). If you are that on the left, you're automatically given ten extra points on your IQ score. If you are divorced, it's five extra points cuase you've seen the light. If you have kids and stay home with them, then you're out of the club.
Woo Hoo!!!! Dubya snookered the Dems again? Looks like he did the same to the media since they've been going crazy trying to figure this out.
Harry Reid must already have egg on his face by kissing/sucking up so soon. He's going to have a hell of a time justifying this to the rest of the party. Hooray!!!
Red, Black, Blue, and Gold???? I LOVE choices...tell me it ain't so that Blue Label has been discontinued! Hang in there Rich! You do it straight up or on the rocks? Or do you ruin it by putting soda in it? 
Carol
LADIES, LADIES,
Those "pee six times a night" remarks hit below the belt. I wake up tired and sore. I'm there, plus: enlarged prostate, arthritis in both knees, gall stones, three different hernias, heart burn, halitosis - double 4-F.
I have come to the conclusion that it is unwise to "go against" our side, regardless. I don't know much about lawyering or supreme courting (seems I am there with Dubya), except I know what I don't like and there's been a lot I don't like. Too many appointees from "our side" have disappointed.
Ladies: at 60, I assume Ms. Miers has gotten past the "changes." That's a positive, Right?
My two cents, though upfront I'll admit at not spending time to read through all the previous comments...
Harriet Miers fits my vision of a "crony" perfectly.
Being Chair of the Texas Lottery Commission should be an instant disqualification rather than the greatest strength on her resume.
Her participating in church missions might suggest she is pro-life, but a roman catholic nun is no more qualified to serve as a supreme court judge than Harriet Miers.
If she is a closet jurist, who believes in strict interpretation of the Constitution, then that would be good to find out. However, as Froggy points out, she is 60, and not looking great at that. I rather get as much time as possible from a conservative appointed judge.
T. Shaw, TMI!! LOL!
Carol, I could be wrong about the label color (it's been 10 yrs.), but it was liqueur, not Scotch. Closest thing to it is Drambuie but that's just so-so in comparison.
Leland, you may have valid points. But I don't think people would be having a hissy fit over a 60 yr. old man. I'd prefer a younger, more vigorous choice myself, but women tend to live longer than men. Maybe a 60 yr. old woman is the equivalent of a 53 yr. old man? I'm just sayin'.
Actually, we do live eight years longer than men, on average, unless of course it's a SEAL, cause they probably live longer than us all
Excellent point, Peg!
"Ladies: at 60, I assume Ms. Miers has gotten past the "changes." That's a positive, Right?"
T. Shaw: Yes, but we always reserve the right to change our minds, even without telling you guys (which may account for the eight years). There is no age limit on that, I am quite sure. Sorry about your other problems.
Adele
Adele, I don't know about SEALs. Sounds to me like they're pretty much beat up and broken down by 40. At least to hear them complain, you'd sure think so.
(Bet I'm on someone's $hit list now!)
Let's get this out in the open. I am in my mid 30s and I feel like shit every day. I can't bear to think about what kind of misery I will be in if I make it to 60. I am generally healthy (a few pounds to lose), cardiovascularly I am tip top, but getting out of bed in the morning is the worst part of my day.
I have had several orthopedic surgeries and I can't seem to realize that I am physically incapable of the things my mind thinks I should be able to do. So I don't believe someone who is sedentary and 60 is going to have the mojo to take on the SCOTUS job for as long as we need her to.
Could I be wrong? Possibly, but I haven't steered you wrong before so why are you questioning my exquisite judgement now?
Matt, Matt, Matt, Matt, Matt.
1. You don't have a lock on aches and pains. You did spend 10+ grueling years earning each one, I am sure. (I can't blame mine on anything but heredity.)
2. Women especially are touchy about the age thing. We just are.
3. Not disagreeing with you.
4. Thought you guys could take some ribbin'...
Nevermind the Blue Label. What is everyone's drug of choice! I gave up aspirin (makes my ears ring) and I'm addicted to Motrin. So there.
http://realclearpolitics.com/
Com...10_5_05_TB.html
'Tis a good few points he makes: Tony Blankley in the Washington times.
Hey, Froggy... I thought you guys can take it with NO WHINING? We love you, you know that... warts and all x's like five million.
Oh, about the sedentary thing and being 60. Women MULTITASK, so I bet it'll be no problem for her.
My drug of choice at this moment is clomid! Everyone keep your fingers crossed for me. With any luck, they'll be another little conservative in the world. Then you can all hear me complain.
Carol,
Soda in Blue Label - NO WAY! That is just wrong. It is almost a crime. Tell me people don't do that. Straight up or on the rocks for me. It depeneds on my mood. You mentioned Red, Black, Blue and Gold. You neglected Green. I have not tried it yet but heard it is ok. Of course nothing beats Blue Label.
Rich
Matthew: Sorry you feel so lousy at such a young age. You sound like a lot of athletes I know -- and were probably just as hard on your body in your froggy days as they were in their sporting days.
There was an 88 year old woman a year or so ago who ran the seniors marathon from Folsom to the Capitol and she did very well -- she looked around 60. And Harriet's own mother is 90+.
Also, I really think it's an individual thing. I understand the disappointment about the age, but over 50 or 60 is not over-the-hill. That's a real mistake in our society's thinking. People give in to that societal pull to think "well I'm old now, so what the hell, what good am I?" and then it all goes downhill from that. I think a lot of it's in the head, plus good diet and exercise, of course. But in a case like yours, where you probably beat the hell out of your body in your younger days, you may feel older than your years.
T.Shaw: For the arthritis, try glucosamine with chondroiton - works wonders; and for the double 4-F breath (sounds like a bra-size), try flossing. But remember, you don't have to floss all your teeth, just the ones you want to keep!
CinC chose to avoid a full frontal assult. The interesting question is why? I can't bring myself to accept that it would be weakness or cowardice, so I'm really hoping that it's the mother of all out-flanking maneuvers.
He knows something I don't know, and I'll bet the Dems don't know it either.
Robert, for peace of mind I'm trying to think like you.
Beth, science is trying to extend life indefinitely. We are going to need some serious implants and nanobot technology to make bodies go much longer and I have a big problem with the ethics of it and what it will mean for future generations fighting for a place amidst ancients who won't get off the planet. OTOH, it sickens me to see my company and so many others trying to give the boot to employees over 50. Given a lifespan of possibly 90 - 100 years now, just what are we supposed to do with ourselves other than be European-like leeches on welfare? I don't want to think any of us are used up and done at 60, much less 50. OTOH, I see Matt's point, too (I'm running out of hands here).
This Liberal swine gets pretty conservative when it comes to good Scotch whiskey! The only thing that should ever be mixed with scotch, (and then only when sipping after dinner) is a few cubes of ice! Got more room in the glass? Pour some more scotch.
Drug of choice: Claritin D. I can suck it up with the muscle aches and pains, but the itchy eyes and stuffed nose, forget it...
Rich,
At Least it's not Cutty Sark!!! Now THAT'S desperation. I don't cut my scotch with soda either...I'd just as soon eat dirt.
Hey Cary,
Hope you aren't slam-dunking those ice cubes in there and bruising the scotch!
Froggy,
Misery is when you can't even fold yourself into your kayak anymore and have any hope of getting out anytime soon. Come to think of it, getting in isn't necessarily the hard part, it's getting out. My sister (who is 4 years younger than me) is facing surgery for her knees...and I'm still playing tennis though not as much as I used to. I am mindful of my aches and pains but I am also stubborn and lusting after a little, fuzzy, green ball is my idea of a good time along with kayaking. Would it make anybody feel better about Harriet Miers to have seen her mountain biking with W? I can just see that!
Peg, Adele et al,
The only thing about Blue Label is that I seem to remember it is terribly expensive...hubby says maybe 100 bucks a bottle! Anybody that hoarded a bottle of Blue before it was discontinued would pretty much sitting pretty.
Carol
The more the players look at the Harriet Miers nomination, they more interesting it gets. Just a few tidbits:
1. Democrat attack-dog groups like moveon.org are trying desperately to mobilize the troops to get detailed info put together on Harriet Miers.
2. These groups are already trying to put together angles to attack her on, but as a few blogger have already pointed out, a full-out attack on her carries a number of severe risks.
3. GWB has in effect baited the far left Democratic special interest groups to lead the party into an attack mode, and you know if those people get their way, they will throw everything & anything at her, and they will go way overboard.
Imagine somebody extending a massive amount of verbal and written abuse at your mom (assuming you get along with your mom) - Harriet Miers is going to be a very, very difficult target to attack.
I think that some of the leaders of these far left Democratic special interest groups are going to have to start taking mass quantities of blood pressure medication every time they think of Harriet Miers sitting on the Supreme Court.
Peg C: Have you ever seen the movie "Fiddler On The Roof." You remind me of Tevye in your post.
On the one hand, on the other hand.
If you haven't seen it, you must! It's a great musical!
Please, fellow Froglets, check this site out:
http://mysandmen.blogspot.com/20...to-
harriet.html
Poster is Major Mike @ My Sandmen Blog; Posted on Wed., Oct. 5, 2005.
Froggy would probably appreciate the acronym MOOSEMUSS. This article was a link on www.hughhewitt.com. Hugh Hewitt was the one who directed me to Froggy. Hugh's site is a great stop with great links to other good conservative blogs. Afterall, he wrote the book on it!
Carol,
Your hubby is right. Blue Label is expensive. The problem is it is no longer $100 a bottle but has now gone over $200 a bottle. Now that it is discontinued who knows what places that have any left will charge.
Froggy - sorry to be off subject but a good Scotch is appartently an important subject to a few of us.
Rich
Rich,
Ah...supply and demand...gotta love it! Guess I'll have to stick to the cheap stuff (er cheaper). People are bitching about gas prices. What if they had to spend $400 bucks a gallon for scotch?
Be careful out there children!
Carol
I think Bush’s stategy is to win without fighting. If he sincerely believes Miers will be a consistent conservative vote, then getting her on the SC will be a victory without a bloodbath.
Those who long for a fight need to read Sun Tsu:
1. Sun Tzu said: In the practical art of war, the best thing of all is to take the enemy’s country whole and intact; to shatter and destroy it is not so good. So, too, it is better to recapture an army entire than to destroy it, to capture a regiment, a detachment or a company entire than to destroy them.
2. Hence to fight and conquer in all your battles is not supreme excellence; supreme excellence consists in breaking the enemy’s resistance without fighting.
3. Thus the highest form of generalship is to balk the enemy’s plans; the next best is to prevent the junction of the enemy’s forces; the next in order is to attack the enemy’s army in the field; and the worst policy of all is to besiege walled cities.
4. The rule is, not to besiege walled cities if it can possibly be avoided. The preparation of mantlets, movable shelters, and various implements of war, will take up three whole months; and the piling up of mounds over against the walls will take three months more.
5. The general, unable to control his irritation, will launch his men to the assault like swarming ants, with the result that one-third of his men are slain, while the town still remains untaken. Such are the disastrous effects of a siege.
6. Therefore the skillful leader subdues the enemy’s troops without any fighting; he captures their cities
without laying siege to them; he overthrows their kingdom without lengthy operations in the field.
7. With his forces intact he will dispute the mastery of the Empire, and thus, without losing a man, his triumph will be complete. This is the method of attacking by stratagem.
Here's another perspective about applying the principles of war to the Miers nomination.
"Adele, I don't know about SEALs. Sounds to me like they're pretty much beat up and broken down by 40. At least to hear them complain, you'd sure think so. "
All warhorses are the same. My dad is a grumpy old 1st Cav First Sergeant. Hardcore is useless until he has had his coffee and corn flakes and patroled the house.
If anyone gives a rat's patootie about the Delay situation (or fair prosecution in this country) one should definately read this at NRO:
http://www.nationalreview.com/
mc...00510060733.asp
IMHO what the Dems are doing is to, one by one, pick off and/or discredit Republican leaders by innuendo and sham criminal prosecutions. It paints an incredibly ugly picture of the future of politics in this country. Hey, if you don't like your opponent just find a prosecutor who will indict him/her for you. Their aims are to get elected to office anyway they can...whether that is to promote voter fraud, kiss up to foreign governments, or in this case shop grand juries to find one that WILL do exactly what they want! Ronnie Earle needs to be removed from office IMMEDIATELY!!!
Throwing mud at your opponent has been standard practice for politicians for as long as this country has existed, but this total corruption of our criminal justice system should be STOPPED...the consequences of looking the other way will be terrible!! This goes WAY beyond Tom Delay. This goes to the future of this country and our fairness and basic freedoms.
Carol
Larry J - great post!
Carol - I agree! I don't think Earle even cares if he wins, or goes to trial -- just muddy up a strong Republican senate leader's name in the public's eye - try and cripple him - ruin his reputation. Dirty, dirty politics. He should be removed.
Sorry guys, but I have to part with you on this one. There are many honorable Republicans, but Delay does not seem to be one of them. Whether he did anything illegal or not, his ethics have been questionable on many occasions. I don't know Earle's motivations, but he has in fact prosecuted many Democrats as well.
Think of it this way, he could be doing your side a favor. If Delay is totally cleared of any wrong doing, he'll be able to come back stronger than ever.
Cary,
Not the point. This goes way beyond Delay to how criminal justice in our country is for EVERYBODY. Think of it exactly how CBS and Rather tried to make use of forged and faulty documents to tell a "supposedly true" story of Bush's national guard service. It doesn't matter whether the story is true or not if you used fake documents to show it. It's the same thing here. Our criminal justice system, in order to be fair to you and me, MUST be impartial. Otherwise anyone who has more political clout than you can destroy your career, your finances, your life...basically. THAT is worth fighting for. Compare it to the emmanent domain case. There are now more cases of strong political groups trying to influence municipal boards to seize PERSONAL PROPERTY to do with as they please. There is a case in Florida I believe, that illustrates this quite well...one influential developer claiming the right to develop someone else's private property for the same purpose as was being considered by the original owner. The only difference was that the new developer had more influence over the regulatory board. This is completely CRAZY!!!! The property was not even considered blighted but merely underdeveloped. When is this going to stop and who gets to decide whose property is blighted or underdeveloped?
Anyway, my point is that while there are plenty of people who don't like Delay, I draw the line at the prosecutor grand jury shopping and fund-raising for the Dems by announcing his intentions to GET a "BIG REPUBLICAN". And then there's the matter of the movie/documentary. Where do we draw the line on this stuff?
If Earle has used this particular tactic on fellow Democrats, can someone please point that out to me? Specifically? Look, I think prosecutors should have a lot of latitude as far as what they can ask for or go after, but with that comes a HUGE responsibility. TO BE FAIR!
My .02
Carol
Larry J - Excellent post!
Cary - If the result of Earle's bogus indictment(s) is the conclusion that he MUST have done something "questionable," then whether the accusations have any substance or not they will have served their purpose. That seems to be Earle's goal along with creating an issue for the Democrats to rally around in the mid-term elections. Whether he or they will succeed has yet to be determined.
Delay has been a very effective Majority Leader in the House. That isn't to say, however, that there aren't other Republicans willing and able to fill his shoes - perhaps with even greater effectiveness without a target painted on their backs.
I get your point. But people are not questioning Delay's way of getting things done because of these indictments, his ethics have been suspect way before any criminal charges were considered.
I'm with you on the Emmanent Domain debacle. This is something I knew would happen when the SC made this horrible ruling.
Now that The House has voted in favor of revising the Endangered Species Act, the very clear message I hear is...
"We can take your land to build a Wal-Mart, but the American Bald Eagle can just fly to Canada."
Drudge has a link to a "report" on Delay's doings. At first glance it looks pretty bad, so I looked around for the source of the report. None given. The story was from the AP. Need I say more? Does the AP think ANYONE will take their unattributed "report" without a more than healthy dose of skepticism.
Hello? AP? Join the NEW OPEN SOURCE journalism...which is the only way I accept anything anymore!!! I spend a huge amount of time on the internet checking sources. Your standard reader of the newspaper will not.
2006 is just next year. I will do my homework on candidates on both sides. Its more important than ever. I am "inclined" to vote out anyone with a (D) after their name, but I will still look at their record to see if there is some hope. I don't mean to sound so fatalistic on this party of which I had been a member for over 30 years, but they have done nothing to convince me that they are the better party for this country. So I am an Independent voter and inclined to remain that way.
Carol
Before I get offline for awhile I want to add a link to something that everyone here should be focused on. Its happening and there appears no way to stop it.
Behold:
A coalition of international governments stage a coupe to seize control of the internet!
http://
technology.guardian.co.uk...1585288,00.html
I am now totally depressed.
Carol
How can the international community seize control of it, and why do we have to let it go?
Adele
Adele, Ditto- We CANNOT allow that to happen, others WILL misuse it, just like OFF.
If they don't like us running things, why don't they go out and make their own internet? Bozos.
Boy Adele,
I wish I knew the answer to that one. I will be watching this one VERY closely for further word of just what the hell is going on.
Carol
Check out what else is coming down the pike:
Former FBI Director Louis Freeh says publicly for the first time that his relationship with President Bill Clinton – the man who appointed him – was a terrible one because Clinton’s scandals made him a constant target of FBI investigations. Freeh discloses this and many other details of his dealings with the Clinton White House in a new bombshell book: 'My FBI : Bringing Down the Mafia, Investigating Bill Clinton, and Fighting the War on Terror' -- set for release next week.
Freeh has taped an interview with Mike Wallace and CBSNEWS '60 MINUTES' to be broadcast Sunday, the DRUDGE REPORT has learned.
Comments anyone? I may just watch 60 minutes this once!
Go over to Drudge and read the whole thing. It will set your hair on fire! This could be the big one and maybe, just maybe, the final nail in the Clintons ambitions.
After hearing of Bill Clinton predicting that we are going to lose in Iraq, I don't believe anything bad enough can be said of the Clintons. They are as anti-American as you can get.
Carol
One more thing:
Subway securtiy is beefed up today in NYC, because of threats.
BUT Homeland Security in DC knows nothing of a credible threat.
What gives?
Hey all you scotch officianados out there check this out:
www.johnniewalker.com/
you will NOT be disappointed and be sure to have your speakers on! Its VERY cool!!! Yes Rich they ask for id at the door...they don't want kids on their site. Enjoy.
By the way...Blue Label is expensive because it is an extremely rare blend distilled near Balmoral Castle...where the queen has her own still. Tee hee. Way to go Liz!!!
Carol
Wow! That site is kick ass! Almost as good as the Scotch itself!
That's it! That's how we can unite both sides of the isle! Just pass around the Scotch!
But not to Kennedy, he can have a ginger ale.
I just hit 35 a few days ago. I don't feel that much different than I was at, say, 25. I do make sure I exercise 3 times a week. It's a pain in the ass to fit it in my schedule, but it works for me.
I do have crippling migraines though. If I could just get rid of those, I'd be a happy camper.
Carol,
That is a great site. I am glad I am old enough to enjoy it. LOL Yes, I have been enjoying nice Scotch for a number of years now.
Cary - Someone recently told me that the Kennedy family still gets a few cents for every bottle of imported licquor. This arrangement supposedly goes back to the days of Joe Kennedy. I don't know if he was correct or it is just a rumour but I would not be surprised. Geez, as if the Kennedy's need any more relation to licquor than they already have.
Rich
Read through most post. I think Cedarford nails it as well as Froggy.
Red River, I'm from Texas and I know its history. Texas is conservative, but for decades, especially during the LBJ era, Texas was solidly DEMOCRAT. True, I'm from Houston, so Dallas Bar is another strike against Miers.
Harriet Miers is a crony. All administrations have them, so does Bush. Might I call everyones attention to the last identified Bush crony appointment? Yeah, FEMA's Brown was better than Louisiana's Nagin and Blanco, but is that really saying much?
If I'm going to support someone to be appointed for life to run a part of my government, I want the best. I never want the expedient.
Peg, I think 60 is just the start of the good life. My point is she doesn't look healthy. Besides, O'Connor was 51, and she's retiring at 75.
Rich,
My big problem with Kennedy is that while I may agree with his position on many issues, the thought of ever speaking up to defend him simply churns my stomach. The only reason he is in elected office, rather than jail, is because of his name. A name with a legacy that has been forever tainted by his recklessness.
As a performer, when I do comedic improvisation, I sometimes have a scene partner who will vie for laughs by bashing Republicans. Now, I may be a Democrat, but I believe in evening the playing field, especially when the audience may be of various political beliefs. I almost always go for Kennedy (I've compared him to Toby Belch from Twelfth Night) .
That's about all the use I have for him.
Cary,
As I am currently living in New England I have the misfortune of more than just Ted Kennedy. The majority of the Kennedy clan is up this way and quite frankly are some of the most repulsive people one can imagine. In spite of the problems in that family of alcoholism, alleged drug use, general psychological disfunction and other questionable things there are people that still love this merry band of bumbling idiots. Believe it or not, despite all of that, there are people in New England that name their children after Kennedy's. A scary thought isnt't it? I am so sick of the image of "public service" that they portray. Their liberal BS is some of the worst. The subject is not worth wasting time on but suffice it to say I am NOT a fan and doubt I would ever agree with anything any of the Kennedy's spew.
Rich
1. Squid, tell me my name. Can you?
2. Tell me, if you know any history; on whose desk these initials lay? And who bestowed them?
3. show this, if you haven't lost your waterlogged balls:
Subject: A man's chain letter
Finally, a man's chain letter!
This chain letter was started in hopes of bringing relief to other tired and discouraged men. Unlike most chain letters, this one doesn't cost anything!
Just send a copy of this letter to five of your friends who are equally tired and discontented. Then bundle up your wife and/or girlfriend and send her to the man whose name appears at the top of the following list, and add your name to the bottom of the list.
When your turn comes, you will receive 15,625 women. One of them is bound to be better than the one you already have. At the writing of this letter, a friend of mine has already received 184 women, of whom four were worth keeping. REMEMBER this chain brings luck.
One man's pit bull died, and the next day he received a Playboy playmate.
An unmarried Jewish man living with his widowed mother was able to choose between a Hooter's waitress and a Hollywood super model.
You can be lucky too, but DO NOT BREAK THE CHAIN!
One man broke the chain and got his wife back again. Let's keep it going, men! Just add your name to the bottom of the list below!
Bill Clinton
780 3rd Ave
New York, NY 10017
Billy Clinton
780 3rd Ave
New York, NY 10017
Billie Clinton
780 3rd Ave
New York, NY 10017
B. Clinton
780 3rd Ave
New! York, N Y 10017
William Jefferson Clinton
780 3rd Ave
New York, NY 10017
W. Jefferson Clinton
780 3rd Ave
New York, NY 10017
W. Jeff Clinton
780 3rd Ave
New York, NY 10017
W. J. Clinton
780 3rd Ave
New York, NY 10017
W. Clinton
780 3rd Ave
New York, NY 10017
William J Clinton
780 3rd Ave
New York, NY 10017
Wilhelm Clinton
780 3rd Ave
New York, NY 10017
Willie Clinton
780 3rd Ave
New York, NY 10017
Will Clinton
780 3rd Ave
New York, NY 10017
Mr. Hillary Clinton
780 3rd Ave
New York, NY 10017
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