Alito Hearings
As a liberal and a Democrat, I expected to side with the Democratic senators in the hearing. However, when you ask someone a question, let them answer! If you have 30 minutes to question Alito, and the whole point of the hearing is to expose Alito's views, it seems like you would want Alito to do most of the talking. But Kennedy and Schumer (Two of my favorite senators) take up the majority of the time criticizing the judge without giving him a chance to explain himself. That's not very useful.
posted by Fishfrog at 9:22 AM
5 Comments:
I agree. Also not useful: Republican senators Orrin Hatch and Lindsey Graham praising Alito for 20 minutes, then asking, "Do you agree?" Or asking ridiculous questions like, "Do you think the President is above the law?" or "Do you think the judiciary plays an important role?"
The hearings have been pretty disappointing.
Very disappointing indeed, though Kennedy did provide some fireworks before the lunch break today.
What did you expect, this is a good example of how the system is broken. Could you imagine senators sitting down and efficiently and rationally performing their jobs. Political posturing, that's all this is. The senators are just putting on a show for their respective parties. This is less about Alito, than about which senator can look the toughest or most supportive.
I am not sure it is a waste of money entirely. It just depends on how you look at it. I think most people look at it as a waste of money because they don't see it being spent. I have been in the Army since 1999. I had a priviledged beginning, as I went straight into a Special Operations Unit and funding for equipment and training was not a problem. We shot our weapons at least once a week, most infantry units didn't get to go to the range and shoot but once a month because there wasn't enough funding. Tell me if that sounds right. That to me seems pretty bad. Being able to accurately and effectively engage a threat is a primary concern for an infantry soldier. Another example of the funding is body armor. The unit I began my Army experience with has had body armor since the early 90's. For most units they didn't get it issued until 2003. A lot of units had flack vests, but they aren't designed to stop bullets.
So to call all this money wasted is not entirely correct, you may see it that way, but look at how much better protected U.S. service members are today. I have dozens of examples how the army is training smarter and better now that the funding is there. It seems any time we are not at war every wants to cut the military budget, and then when it's time to fight, aahh shit. SO for all of you who have those stupid support our troops magnets on your car I hope you contribute more to the troops than the three dollars you spent on that magnet. Which in no way benefits the troops. Send a care package, don't vote to cut military funding, do something.
Every war is winnable, it is just a matter of how much you are willing to sacrifice.
Most Americans aren't willing to sacrifice, unless it's getting up at three in the morning the friday after Thanksgiving to go shopping.
It seems the ones who are willing to make sacrifices are the ones society doesn't really care about.
Sure everyone says support our troops, but what does that mean. Makes you feel better. Doesn't do a damn thing for me.
Sorry, it seems I have ranted on for a little to long, if you are still reading thanks.
The mistreatment and misallocation of funds to the armed forces is a bit appalling. The money that has been allocated to the war in Iraq is not wasted in as much as it is used to train and provide protection (and maybe some health and retirement benefits) to the soldiers. However, it seems likely that the bulk of the money being sent over there will be and is being lost in the black hole that is government beurocracy and overpaying privileged government contractors.
Also, I hate those assholes who drive SUVs with the support the troops ribbons on the back. Brother is absolutely right that these "patriots" should put their money where the mouth is and actually DO something to help a soldier. I did my part by buying a christmas present for a soldier.
And as for sacrifice, how can we justify having some of the lowest tax rates in the history of the country while at the same time cutting health care and retirement benefits for the soldiers? At no time in history has a tax cut been passed at the same time a major war was underway.
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