Live on CSPAN...Chickenhawks vs. Patriots [View All]

[ticapnews]

Now beginning. Before the clerk even started reading the resolution the Democrats were raising objections...

But the Rethugs shot them down...

I'll be updating this thread as the debate and vote unfold...feel free to do the same...

Chet Edwards (D-TX) asked if it would be allowed for each member to speak for five minutes, since this was about war and our soldiers. He was essentially told to sit down and shut up - the debate will be one hour and will ONLY be about this specific resolution...

Phil Gringrey (Chickenhawk-GA) talks about "besmirching" the dedication and sacrifice of the soldiers.

Louise Slaughter (D-NY) leading the debate for the Patriots, says that Murtha's proposal is sound, and scared the Republicans into such swift action to attack him.

Slaughter is laying out the case very well. "I believe they've got some 'splaining to do." That was wonderful.

Joseph Pitts (R-PA) - Opposes the resolution. "Freedom isn't free - it is expensive and bloody"

Ike Skelton (D-MO) - 4 minutes. He is recounting Murtha's war deeds. Says he "admires (Murtha's) assessment of the war." If the Iraqi military and government are not successful, Iraq will become a "snake pit" every bit as bad as the Taleban had in Afghanistan.

Barrett (R-SC) - "Don't believe all the crap you see on the TV" He has been to Iraq and continually refers to the "18, 19 and 20 year old heroes." "I will not cut and run on the people of Iraq. I will not cut and run on the soldiers fighting the battle. I will not cut and run on the United States of America. Let's talk about victory. Let's talk about freedom."

Mel Watt speaking for the unanimous Congressional Black Caucus. I think his comments are mentioned below :)

Lincoln Diaz-Balart (R-FL) suddenly concerned with the world opinion, now that it appears there is a "diminuition" of support for the war in Iraq... "Let us say we stand with the troops, and the mission of the troops, of being in Iraq until there is a stable Democratic government there."

Joe Crowley (D-NY) calling out the GOP for dividing America. It is not unpatriotic to question a war with 2100 dead and 25,000 wounded. Invokes Cindy Sheehan, John McCain and Rep. Murtha. "The GOP caucus is not unpatriotic - they are pathetic!"

Rep Ginny Brown-Waite (R-FL) Talks about an Iraqi nurse who begged her to keep the troops in Iraq... would say more, but who cares, DK is speaking now!

"Wake up America!" I type 80 words per minute, but I can't keep up with Dennis...

Going to have to get a transcript of that...

Candice Miller (R-MI) saying Iraq will evolve into anarchy and become a base for terrorists. Hello?!?!? What is it now? She just called the Democrats "nuts". I was busy typing, but I could have sword I heard her say "not in the streets of America." Is she saying it is OK over there but not here? Are the Iraqis our human shields now???

Chet Edwards is back, pointing out that if each member of Congress spoke, they would be allowed 7 seconds apiece.

Renzi (R-AZ) saying the media spun this into a Murtha vs. Hunter debate, but it shouldn't be. He is now reading quotes from Sandy Berger, Albright and the 9/11 commission. Calls Jack Murtha a "great man and a patriot." Talks about protecting "our boys and girls" in the field.

Rahm Emanuel (D-IL) "We have given the administation $450 billion...everything they have asked for..." "We did not ask the questions." "One single Iraqi battallion to show for it." "Tonight we are finally having some debate..."

Rep Joe Wilson (R-SC) - mentions 9/11 after reeling off the fact that his three sons have served, or are serving in the Armed Forces...

I think I've paused the TiVo too much, I am about three minutes behind...

Steve King (R-IA) - questions why there is a difference (15,000 vs 25,000 wounded in Iraq) ***Maybe that is because the Pentagon is not keeping accurate numbers???***

The Senate has agreed to HR 258 regarding Rosa Parks contribution to desegregation...

Judy Biggert (R-IL) - "This is about communicating to the world" our support of the soldiers and the freedom of Iraq. Since when do the GOP care what the rest of the world thinks?

Slaughter reserving her time until the end.

Oh God. Tom Tancredo. I might throw something at my TV. Five 'Police Academies' in Iraq? That's an outrage! Didn't Steve Guttenberg make seven of those movies? Where are the other two, and why aren't they available to every man, woman and child in Iraq?

Go Cheney yourself, Tom...

Walter Jones (R-NC) "If the end point cannot be explained there is no real strategy." Sides with Feingold, Murtha and Kucinich...talks about Governor Bush critizing President Clinton in '99 for not having an exit strategy or a timetable...

Gene Green (D-TX) - "Our men and women are fighting heroically, it is the civilian leadership" that is failing...

Jim Gibbons - (R-NV) our troops watch and read what we are doing in Congress. Really? They spend their downtime between getting shot at watching C-SPAN?

Slaughter reserving her time, three speakers left.

Ron Lewis (R-KY) - Recounting the terrorist attacks on America and out allies (surprise) blames Clinton...

7 1/2 minutes for Repubs, 7 for Dems

Wayne Gilchrist (R-MD) names dead from his district. Invokes Flander's Field. Says we need to decide how to end the war, not continue the war.

George Miller (D-CA) defending Murtha. Says Murtha did this for the "security of our troops, our country and the Middle East"