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Bush Kicks Democrats in Christmas Balls Email Print

By Tom Ball
12/22/2006 12:47:58 PM EST

Photobucket - Video and Image HostingOnly a few more days until that magical morning, when millions of children across the globe will awake to the bounty of Santa and people will gather to spread good cheer and well-wishes.

Unforutnately, that makes this the perfect time for the Grinch to make his rounds -- choosing to spend the final run-up to the holiday taking his final jabs at the Whos down in Whoville.

In early November, Democrats, Americans, and the world were blessed with the glorious gift of 'check and balance' (Remember those?). So many thought the Democratic rout might be just sobering enough to wipe the smirk and swagger from Bush's pose.

Not so.

Seems the decider's calls for bipartisanship were as hollow as his head -- as we always knew they were.

First, perhaps in anticipation of a Democratic plan that could castrate his ability to appoint his rejected trolls sans congressional approval, President Bush gave recess appointments to two of his Democrat-blocked nominees. Not surprisingly. Democrats are pissed. So much for the Honeymoon (Was there one?).

Bush "has appointed an outspoken conservative television producer to the board of directors of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting." Warren Bell "has been an online contributor to the conservative National Review magazine. In May 2005 he described himself as 'thoroughly conservative in ways that strike horror into the hearts of my Hollywood colleagues.'" Bell's recess appointment "means he will stay on the board through the congressional session that ends in 2007."

Bush also gave a recess appointment to Mark McKinnon,...

...who "will join the Broadcasting Board of Governors (BBG) in time for its Jan. 10 meeting. The recess appointment is good for a year, but Mr. McKinnon said yesterday that he is confident the Senate would confirm him for a full term that would end in 2009. Senators, however, often don't look favorably on recess appointees." McClatchy says Sen. Joe Biden, "the incoming Senate Foreign Relations Committee who takes over in January, was not likely to move McKinnon's nomination, said insiders, prompting the White House action."

The 110th Congress will be sworn in on January 3rd and Convene on January 4th.

Happy Holidays:)


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Bush Kicks Democrats in Christmas Balls | 1 comment (1 topical, editorial, 0 hidden)
Future Shocks (none / 0)
Thank you for reporting these disturbing appointments.

The rise of right wing extremists was rooted in conservative domination of the airwaves and the press, either through intimidation or by purchase outright, and in tight control of the message among administration officials and Congressional Republicans.

The Bush administration's popularity plunged as it lost control of the message. As one debacle followed another, insiders sought to deflect blame.  Paul O'Neil published his tell-all book, Tommy Thompson admitted that he lay awake worrying about food security, Michael Brown refused to play scapegoat, Andrew Card gave Bob Woodward juicy material for "State of Denial," and unidentified executive branch employees disclosed NSA domestic surveillance and CIA foreign prisons.

Bush's recess appointments suggest that the far right's response to the 2006 upset election will be to tighten its grip on the message, through stronger and broader control of mass communications.

Notably, the Internet is a major obstacle to any attempt to manipulate public discussion. For that reason, between now and November 2008, citizens must keep careful watch against the introduction of measures to restrict Internet dialogue.

by truthista on 12/26/2006 03:15:37 AM EST

Bush Kicks Democrats in Christmas Balls | 1 comment (1 topical, 0 editorial, 0 hidden)
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