Consider the proximate cause of this impromptu debate: the poignant and courageous statements of Rep. John P. Murtha (D - 12 Pennsylvania). When Congressman Murtha spoke the same words as PDA and other anti-war leaders, the Republican spin machine kicked into overdrive. It's rare to see such a colossal political miscalculation. The GOP attacks on Murtha quickly spun out of control, because of who he is. From his website: "U.S. Rep. John P. Murtha has dedicated his life to serving his country both in the military and in the halls of Congress. He had a long and distinguished 37-year career in the U.S. Marine Corps, retiring from the Marine Corps Reserve as a colonel in 1990...."
Nov 19, 2005

Republicans
Over in Ohio
Mike Hersh writes: In 2000 Florida was ground zero in the bitter battle for the White House. In 2004, with far less attention, the right wing engaged in similar dirty tricks and vote-rigging in Ohio. Expanding scandals relating to the right wing Ohio machine - "Coingate" money laundering, other criminal allegations, and the criminal conviction of Governor Robert Taft - underscore the need to prevent future election and government abuses. Ohio Republicans - like their counterparts in the White House and the Congressional leadership - earned a reputation for corruption.
Nov 4, 2005

Republicans
Republicans Undermining Our Security
Mike Hersh writes: "Republicans historically undermined our national security, and sought to personally cash in by diverting our tax dollars and national priorities to put our money in their pockets. Today, Republicans scream that no one can even question AWOL Bush and his lousy policies. During WWII, Thomas Dewey of "Dewey beats Truman!" fame led a Republican effort to impeach FDR at the height of the war, blaming him for the shameful Republican policies which kept us weak. Did right wingers call Dewey a traitor for undermining a war time President? Of course not. They nominated him for President as soon as they could. Truman beat Dewey. Republicans couldn't accept that and began attacking Truman and his administration - undermining our security. This is nothing new. Republicans historically undermine national security."
Oct 23, 2005

Republicans
Investigating Bush Crimes, Lies, and Failures
Mike Hersh writes: Despite their utter failure to keep us safe on 9/11/01, the Bush administration exploited that terrorist attack and manipulates our emotions to narrow partisan advantage. Along came Richard Clarke proving Bush blew it and let 9/11 happen. Paul O'Neil saying Bush intended to attack Iraq long before 9/11 - despite sworn statements to Congress that he'd exhaust all diplomatic and nonmilitary means before attacking. The Downing Street Minutes which prove Bush was already coordinating efforts to "sell" the war and fitting intelligence to this policy.

It seems the Bush Administration finally went too far attacking Joe Wilson's family because he exposed the lies in Bush's State of the Union Address; lies under the Oath of Office to drive us into a costly war against harmless Iraq. Now we're anticipating the Fitzgerald investigation results, a law-enforcement response to the "outing" of undercover CIA operative Valerie Plame.
Oct 23, 2005

Republicans
Don't Let Republicans Kill Resolution of Inquiry
Mike Hersh writes: Rep. Barbara Lee's Resolution of Inquiry H.Res. 375 could come up for a vote as soon as Tuesday, and we need your help to make sure the Republicans don't kill it. We are running out of time. Congress re-convenes on September 6th and the House International Relations Committee could vote on this Resolution that day. We're asking you to call your Representative's office. Also, please post this on blogs, send this to your lists, etc. We need immediate action.
Sep 5, 2005

Republicans
When Dissent Was Duty II
Mike Hersh wrote this two years ago, but once again events require an update and reposting: Members of Congress insist US law and the Constitution require that "[T]he president needs to tell Congress what the plans are." That's a fact, mandated by the War Powers Act, if not Article One of the US Constitution. "The administration's campaign has been a disaster. [It] escalated a guerrilla warfare [sic] into a real war, and the real losers are... innocent civilians." That's been clear from the start of the "Shock and Awe" bombings. Furthermore, according to members of Congress, the policy "was a mistake [and] this president ought to show some leadership and admit it [because it] is not helpful for the president's spin machine to be out there right now saying that [opposition] is weakening [when] nothing has changed."

These aren't Democrats criticizing Bush. No, these are all quotes from Republicans attacking the Clinton response to the crisis in Kosovo. Republicans should demand from Bush the same disclosure they got from Clinton and attack the Bush Administration's lack of diplomacy - and success, exit strategy, etc.
Aug 5, 2005

Republicans
When Republicans Attack The Republic
Mike Hersh originally wrote this May 15th, 2003 and two years later it's all the more accurate today. One party - the Republicans - is intent on savagely attacking the basic institutions and structure that protect us from radical extreme swings and irrational policies. Everything the founders tried so hard to prevent, today's Republican "leaders" seek to unleash!
Jun 5, 2005

Republicans
Stop the Nuclear Option
Mike Hersh writes: "'Filibuster' is a funny word, but there's nothing funny about what the Bush Administration and their extreme right wing Senate friends are trying to do to us. People for the American Way (PFAW) - a group of Republicans, Democrats, Independents and others - is working to protect us from one-party government and abuse of power called 'the Nuclear Option.' You can help out by signing the petition: save_the_filibuster, but you can do more."
May 18, 2005

Republicans
Right Wing Heroes Were Radical Liberals
Mike Hersh writes: By any measure, right wing heroes including Jesus and the American Founders were radical liberals. Jesus was a peacenik. Revisionist right wingers revere the Founders but can't explain why they wouldn't be arch liberals - perhaps even what right wingers call "socialists" - today. They were radical then and they'd be at least liberal now. I wonder what right wingers would do to these heroes if they were around today?
Mar 1, 2005

Republicans
Can Christians Follow Bush?
Mike Hersh writes: No one should attack Bush for his faith. However, if he's going to base public policy and even decisions of war and peace on his religious beliefs, we should know and understand Bush's theology. This is important, because Bush stakes so much of his political life on his faith. Any Christian who thinks their faith requires supporting Bush should consider concerns of Christians who study - and follow the Bible. With all this in mind, can Christians follow Bush?
Mar 1, 2005

Republicans
The Real Threat to Social Security
Mike Hersh asks, Crisis, What Crisis? and explains: Social Security is fine. Bush has to tend to National Security. Porter Goss, President Bush's new Director of Central Intelligence testified under oath that it's a matter of "when" not "if" terrorists will attack us again. All experts agree Social Security will remain solid for several decades. Why the urgency and trumped up crisis now? Bush's "reform" plan would make things worse - costing taxpayers $trillions and increasing overhead costs. The same people who brought us all time record deficits and the Enron, Arthur Anderson and S&L debacles tell us we have to trust them to perform radical surgery on Social Security. With their record for big failures and falsehoods, why should we?
Feb 26, 2005

Republicans
Complaining about People Who Complain about Bush
Mike Hersh wrote to answer someone who was complaining about people who complain about Bush. The complainer realized that Bush is already intimidating Iran, and said "[If] rumors about a war in Iran prove true" we should emulate the Ukraine protestors and take to the streets. This is a real concern. In recent public statements, Cheney hinted at plans to attack Iran "on the top of [Bush's] list" - that is, already in place. We can't wait until war starts to start opposing it. By the time the planes start bombing, it's too late to stop it - much less get organized. The time for action is now because Bush keeps bullying the planet and any Americans who disagree with his immoral, illegal, and extreme policies. He won't stop unless and until we make him stop.
Feb 25, 2005

Republicans
Dissent is the Highest Form of Patriotism
Mike Hersh exposes right wing duplicity and failure, immorality and extreme partisanship which actually put our lives at risk. He defends dissent as the highest form of patriotism and calls upon you to stand up to right wing lies and abuses - no matter what the right wingers say about it and you. He rejects "advice" from wimpy liberals who want to reason with unreasonable thugs and will not stop asking the critical question: Why does anyone who cares about America and American lives still support Bush? He will not stop his patriotic dissent against horrendous policies, lies and failures that keep hurting and killing people.
Feb 24, 2005

Republicans
When Did Right Wingers Become Such Cry Babies?
Mike Hersh exposes crybaby lying by the right wing National Review whose writer named Paul Kengor makes the astonishingly foolish and dishonest claim: the "press does not express outrage when Democratic politicians talk about God, though they certainly do when Republicans mention religion." He fails to provide even one example of the press expressing "outrage" in this way, but since he's writing for other right wingers apparently he expects them to accept this bizarre assertion sans support. Lying by right wingers is hardly new. But when did right wingers became such cry babies?
Feb 15, 2005

Republicans
When People Ask Why Do You Hate Bush
Mike Hersh explains: It's so easy for the media to say - and for some people to think - there's Bush and people who "hate" (or rather oppose) Bush and both sides must be equally right and equally wrong. Just split the difference, people say, and you'll get the truth. That's usually true about politics, but not now. Not under the current situation.

Today, one side is getting people killed and lying about it, scaring people for political purposes, looting the public treasury and planning to go after Social Security to make themselves and their friends rich. The pro-Bush side. Remember when Cheney said if we didn't vote for him and Bush terrorists would attack us, maybe even with nuclear weapons? That was an outrageous lie. Telling you about that isn't hating. It's about the truth.
Jan 23, 2005