Democracy In Doubt Update - 04-19-2007

Harry Reid States the Obvious

On the heels of a horrific day of death in Iraq yesterday, the leader of the Democratic majority in the US Congress, Senator Harry Reid, came out and plainly said what is on the minds of many: that the war in Iraq "is lost" and a US troop surge is failing to bring peace to the country.

"I believe ... that this war is lost, and this surge is not accomplishing anything, as is shown by the extreme violence in Iraq this week," Reid told journalists.

Reid also told the reporters he told his feelings to US President George W. Bush on Wednesday, when the president met with lawmakers to negotiate on the emergency war funding bill.

"I know I was the odd guy out at the White House, but I told him at least what he needed to hear ... I believe the war at this stage can only be won diplomatically, politically and economically." LINK
Bush is incapable of confronting the reality that he has created one of the worst clusterfucks of all time.

Gonzales Grilled by Senate Panel
April 19 (Bloomberg) -- Senators of both parties challenged U.S. Attorney General Alberto Gonzales's candor about the firing of eight U.S. attorneys and questioned his fitness to remain in office.

Members of the Senate Judiciary Committee subjected Gonzales to a rapid-fire barrage of questions that demanded detailed explanations of the firings and his role in them. The controversy has triggered calls from lawmakers in both parties for his removal. President George W. Bush has stood by Gonzales, saying he has confidence in him.

``We have to evaluate whether you are really being forthright,'' said Pennsylvania Senator Arlen Specter, the panel's top Republican. ``Your characterization of your participation is significantly, if not totally, at variance with the facts.''

Gonzales said he couldn't remember when he approved the firings and conceded that he relied almost solely on the advice of top Justice Department officials who reviewed the performance of U.S. attorneys. Nor could he recall a Nov. 27 meeting where other Justice Department officials say the plan was approved, the attorney general said.

``How can you be sure you made the decision?'' said Senator Patrick Leahy, the Vermont Democrat who heads the panel. LINK
I listened to part of the inquiry today and it was BRUTAL.