You Can't Make This Stuff Up ...

[JABBS]

In nearly five years in office, President Bush has not vetoed a single piece of legislation his Republican-led Congress has supported.

But the White House is threatening to vetothe Senate's $440.5 billion 2006 Defense spending bill because it includes an amendment that would mandate uniform standards for the treatment of military detainees. The provision, which passed 90-9, was authored by John McCain (R-AZ).

A Seattle Times editorial wrote that the amendment "to ban 'cruel, inhuman or degrading' treatment of prisoners by the military found a clarity of purpose and voice that eludes the Bush administration."

The Boston Globe, in its editorial, wrote: "Instead of threatening to veto the measure, as his staff has done, President Bush should embrace it as evidence that the military will correct abuses and hold itself to a high standard."

A veto by Bush would almost certainly be symbolic, because the Senate has the votes to override it.

And what a symbol it would be.

***

This item first appeared at Journalists Against Bush's B.S.

[opihimoimoi]

1. Bush SUPPORTS TORTURE and MISTREATMENT of POWs

What is the matter with his Brain?

Don't he know our troops get captured too....He should ask John McCain all about it.

[JABBS]

2. he doesn't respect mccain

Bush allowed his men on the ground in South Carolina to suggest McCain was a Manchurian candidate (while also claiming that the McCain's adopted girl from Bangladesh was a love child with a black NYC prostitute).

McCain, for the sake of his own presidential future, looked the other way and allowed himself to be used during the 2004 presidential race as a prop to be kissed on the forehead. McCain lost a lot of respect from the left side of the aisle by temporarily being a Bush apologist last year.

Now, once again, we see that McCain and Bush don't see eye to eye. (And this is just one of several issues). McCain may not be a liberal, but he is an independent voice in the Republican Party, and that's why some liberals hold him in high regard.)

[xkenx]

5. Yes, McCain Sometimes Follows An Independent Path,

but we shouldn't lose sight of him being a CONSERVATIVE REPUBLICAN.
Occasionally contradicting the radicals on the right doesn't qualify him for our support. I lost all respect for the man when when he became Bush's Bitch. He regularly takes sneaky cheap shots at Dems. under the guise of seeming to be neutral.

P.S. Isn't it nice to be a "Used to be long-suffering Red Sox fan?"

[JABBS]

6. agreed

But it's easier to deal with independent Republicans than those with blinders on.

Given a choice, do you want McCain (or Lindsey Graham or Chuck Hegel) as the GOP nominee, or someone like Frist or Santorum? The reality is, even though you may want the Dems to win in 2008, you have to accept the possibility of another Republican victory.

To me, "anybody but Bush" really means anyone who puts country before party -- at least among those on the right side of the aisle.

[xkenx]

7. Sure

those guys may be preferable to be running against than RWers. Let's just not confuse them with "moderates." BTW Lindsey Graham was one of Bill Clinton's worst inquisitors.

[JABBS]

8. the reality is

That the Democrats have no choice as to who is the Republican leader. But better to have someone who stands up to the Bush machine than someone who doesn't.

I'm sure you can find major flaws in almost any of the top Republicans (Lott, Frist, McConnell, Santorum, Graham, etc.)

[FreedomAngel82]

12. Oh of course

With torture though when McCain speaks about that I at least listen and respect him with that. He knows what he is talking about with that of course. I still don't appreciate how he snubbed Kerry who he was supposed to be friends with and he put his party over his country.

[PurityOfEssence]

9. So what? McCain doesn't respect McCain. His soul is long ago sold.

What a fool. He'll suck up to those who attempt to destroy him just for the hope that they'll let him take the big prize. They'll never let that happen unless they're so disgraced and desperate that there's no other option.

This guy's no friend to anyone left of monarchy, and he's got the integrity of the average remora.

[FreedomAngel82]

13. I believe it was Andrew Sullivan on Maher

who talked about this. He said how basically the bill says the same thing the code of conduct says. So McCain really isn't introducing anything new. I just think though it should send a big message to those who do support Bush when he does veto this bill. What excuse is he going to have?

[No Exit]

3. He couldn't care less about our troops--he is anti-veteran,

which is not surprising when one considers how lightly he took his own obligations when he was allegedly a member of the service himself.

[FreedomAngel82]

11. I agree

McCain should have a private talk with Bush long and hard about POW torture treatments. Bush isn't sending a good sign at all to people. This is very dangerous.

[zanne]

4. I don't know why this isn't getting more attention

In the media; especially on the air, which is where most people get their news. It's as though the abuses at AbuGhraib never happened. The media is disregarding this. (Maybe they want it to go away).

[opihimoimoi]

14. Yup, they do want it to go a way

[depakid]

10. It takes BOTH the Senate and the House to override a veto

I'm guessing that as insane as most of the House Republicans are, a veto would be sustained- if the measure even made it into the final bill (which- given its potential to embarrass Bush is pretty unlikely).