Keith, I'm kind of wonder if the president will just sign the funding bill, take the money, and IGNORE the draw down dates. Aren't they NON-BINDING like the first bill they passed? To me, Tenet and all the rest aren't just impeachment worthy, but as your one guest said, they should be tried for war crimes in N U R E M B E R G. It is sickening that the dems don't have any resolve and have voted to continue to fund the war. It is also sickening to me that they pulled the wording from their new bill that would have ‘expressly prohibited an attack on Iran.’ This president is trigger-happy and that is like the ultimate green light. I'm so upset with the dems that I now think those who voted for the war were probably in on it (whatever it - the underlying cause - is) right from the start. Any plan that keeps residual troops is a plan that essentially keeps us in the OIL loop - HILLARY. I also half wonder if the Israeli lobby is running this country. Thanks for NOTHING DEMS!

Chris- Unhappy with the Dems? Think about it- they passed a bill that, because of these Draw down dates the lugnut in the White House is going to veto- even though it contains MORE money for this stupid war than he asked for! Yes, it is unfortunate that this was all we could get, but to see how the REPUBLICANS all voted in lockstep with their fearless leader (HA!)- who should the American people be unhappy with? And it's only a start, veto it if he wants, Bush will see these dates again- and again, and again...and as it gets closer to election time even the republicans will start thinking twice...we hope.

I think the drawdown dates in _one_ version was non-binding, but the language in this version is hard and fast. I also think Bush (or, at least, Cheney and Hadley) realize the signing statement dodge ain't gonna fly any more; the last Congress would let it slide, but not these guys. No, they're not ringing the impeachment bell (because, as I've said several times before, they don't have a case that goes beyond the rhetorical, which was all the GOPhers had with Monica), but they're not going to fold up for this mumbling chimp, no matter how hard he clings to the talking points.

Hey, you failed to mention that Wolfowitz is claiming that everything happening to him is a smear campaign, and that-BIG SURPRISE HERE EVERYONE-Bush still stands behind him. You know what Chris, I don't think it would surprise anyone if Bush pulled that-afterall, HE is the decider. There are a few Democrats out there that really want this to work, not to mention a few Republicans, but as soon as they are verbally attacked, they back down. I too am disappointed in what a lot Democrats have failed to at least try and do. I wrote to Senators Boxer & Feinstein and asked them what they had to lose by standing up to George Bush-Feinstein never answered and I received a form letter from Boxer. I will ask again. What do you people in Congress and the Senate have to lose? Your reputation? Your job at the next elections? Wouldn't it be far better to stand up for your convictions and push for what is right? Apparently your job and reputation are far more important than the minds, limbs and lives of the brave members of our US Armed Forces. PEACE!

Gee, I wonder if the working title was 'Confessions of a Political Coward Or How I Let Thousands Die to Protect a Limited Bureaucrats Future' If he had come forward at the time, we would not have Condi et al losing facts to the cloudy mists of time. Justice delayed is justice denied, the same goes for reality.

I don't think I am getting the big picture of the releases of a list of supporters for Rudy Giuliani's campaign. With 125 entries I guess Mr. Giuliani has either the smallest Presidential compaign in history or ran out of printer paper before the list was complete?

Chris, Harrisburg: I feel your frustration. Upon learning that we have lost 100 American military personnel in April (also the highest loss for Great Britain in the same period in several months) this President has the nerve to threaten once again to veto this bill in front of the German Chancellor and the European Commission President (in effect snubbing his nose at the American people in front of these visitors). Then he has audacity to say "once he vetos the bill he is then willing to compromise with the Dems and congress on a new bill". His idea of compromise is to remove all additional spending requests, remove withdrawal timetables, remove any mention of benchmarks for the Iraqi government, and give him the money he wants to pursue this ludicrous war without any accountability to the American people and the soldiers dying in Iraq. If the Dems had any damn nerve themselves rather than pleading please Mr. President read the bill carefully and reconsider, they would say fine, veto the original bill you sh--, and then we will be more than willing to compromise your incompetence and send you another bill with binding withdrawal or redeployment dates that you can sign or shove right up your ass where it can stay until hell freezes over. Enough of the nice guy BS Dems. As this President just loves to play war, death and destruction with other people's lives, it's time to declare war on this President once and for all. Even if you cannot get the votes in the senate show the American people that your patience has run out. Show that you are angry just like the American people. Show that we have had ENOUGH of this President who chastises and insults the American people in front of foreign visitors. Get on that blasted TV every night and declare war on Bush and this administration. You have the support of the American people. By God if he wants war give him one right in his own backyard.

Any comments on Bill Moyers' recent programs on the failures of the press regarding the Bush Administration?

I just spent an hour and a half on the phone speaking to a father whose son spent over 24 months in combat in Iraq. It was one of the saddest/funniest/goofiest conversations I've had in a while. He and I had so much in common-even beyond having a loved one fighting this war. He's just an American. Just a Dad. Just another human being that has sat through agonizing hours hoping and praying that his son makes it through-thankfully he did. He is a person that has really and truly been affected by this war. He is a person that has to listen to the BS coming out of politians mouthes, and know that it is his son that could have been killed while people were still 'talking.' Tim Kahlor, you have earned the respect of one more American and military family member-I can't wait for you to hug Ryan again. For those of you still in favor of this war-contact Tim-google him in fact-you might learn a thing or two. PEACE!

By the way, I'm glad Tony Snow is back. I get very annoyed with his attitude, but hey, I don't wish anything bad to happen to him. I hope Mr. Snow is around for a long, long time-not for Bush, but for his family and the rest of those who truly love him.

Bush stands behing them so the land mines blow THEM up. What loyalty. But as his "friends" should have known, if you lay down with dogs, you get up with fleas.

How dare the Congress send the president a bill he can't sign. They should let HIM write the bill. Then they could proofread it, as a courtesy to him, and send it back for his signature on the dotted line they highlight with a neon marker. That should make it easy for him to sign. Congress should work WITH the president. He is more than willing to work with them, especially if they present a "compromise" such as this to him. Why doesn't Congress see that this is the only SANE answer to insure the president won't veto "their" bill?

At this time of year, I get up at 03:00am each morning just to watch “Countdown”. Why, well I live in the dreaded Middle East, and 03:00am (GMT+3 local time) is live Keith Time! And when the US EST clock “Falls Back” (as it will in October) Keith graces our screens at an even more uncivilized time of 04:00am! Oh well, the price we pay for love. Harken back to almost 2 decades ago to NBC News “Overnight” with Linda Ellerby. Do any of you remember that one? It was the precursor with segments such as “News on A Reel”, possibly the late great granddaddy of “Oddball”; but I digress. It’s truly sad, but in this part of the world, ever since “Countdown” started airing at its inception on the regional satellite carrier of MSNBC, Keith is considered by all of us in the expat community to be the only remaining functional bastion of sanity in a US news edifice acutely infected by Mad Cowboy Disease. Living here in the thick of it all, and having lived in the US for over 2 decades prior, back when it was a country in the firm grip of sane administrations with the occasional renegade official, rather than the present perverse reverse, you would think that it is clear for all to see. Alas the world and times we live in… Kudos to Countdown and Keith; 3am, 4,am, who cares…let’s play oddball!

CA-Huzzah! You hit the nail on the head. Along with many I am frustrated beyond belief at the obtuseness exhibited by Mr. Bush. Evidently his idea of "bi-partisanship" is for Congress to continue to rubber-stamp his every whim. Anything less is un-Amerukin, gotta fight em over there, blah, blah, blah. In addition, as a Gulf coast resident, I am enraged at the recent reports of the refusal of aid from numerous countries after Katrina. The sad fact is that in the event of another natural or man made disaster, the federal government is still not any more capable of co-ordinating relief than it was 2 years ago. How arrogant to refuse, and in some cases waste aid that was sent in a spirit of humanity and goodwill.

Victory over Iraq Day (V-I Day) is the celebration of the Surrender of Iraq, which took place on May 1, 2003, ending the Iraqi War. In Iraq, the day is known as, BSD, which literally means the "Bull Sjhit Day". At noon Iraq standard time on that day, Emperor Saddam Hussein's announcement of Iraq's acceptance of the terms of the Pennsylvania Avenue Declaration was broadcast to the Iraqi people over the radio. Earlier the same day, the Iraqi government advised the Collition of the surrender by sending a cable to U.S. President George W Bush via the Swiss diplomatic mission in Washington. Since Iraq was the last Axis of Evil Power to surrender and V-I Day followed V-A Day (Victory over Aphganistan Day) by three months, V-I Day marked the end of The War on Terror. On May 1, 2003 George W. Bush landed on the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln, in Navy One, a Lockheed S-3 Viking, wearing a flight suit. A few minutes later he gave a speech announcing the end of major combat operations in the Iraq War. Clearly visible in the background was a banner stating "Mission Accomplished." The formal Iraqi signing of the surrender terms took place on board the Aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln in San Diego Bay on May 2, 2003 and at that time Bush actually declared May 2 to be VI-Day.

Jane, I fail to see why the Congress, who is expressing the sentiment of the PEOPLE(over half of people polled favor withdrawal from Iraq), should compromise with a President whose approval rating nearly matches the number of people who believe THIS YEAR will mark the second coming of Jesus Christ. If the President vetoes the bill, then we know exactly who to blame: the President himself.

C A, Tuscaloosa, AL; Perfect analogy of the President, he has never compromised or negotiated anything in his six plus year's as President, as you, I and many other's has stated here over again in the past. Also i'm almost sure he's never made any compromise in his life other than compromising the reputation of other administration official's close to him & that of his own party. The New Democrat congress keeps talking of "oversight" so we will soon see if they have a backbone, or if this will be another political game played with the lives of the american soldier. Hope the Democrat's hold thier ground, they have not given me any reason yet to doubt they would not , so i'll remain positive for now & reserve my skepticism for later.

CR-Indianapolis: You are correct. No compromises. NONE! I am a firm believer in diplomacy and compromise. But in this case we are dealing with a guy that lives in a black and white world, a yes and no world. He can use the term compromise but compromise is in the grey area, and you are dealing with a person who does not understand grey areas. He has never had to compromise in his life (in his mind). Mentally and emotionally he is an insecure all or nothing spoiled rotten kid who can never respect the fact that others might see things differently than he does. In fact, even though holding an office of authority he has no respect for authority. His younger years bear this out as does his current behavior. His socio-pathathic tendencies are so obvious (even to a lay person) it is amazing to me the Dems don't understand how to deal with this guy. Why in heck do you think Cheney has command over this guy from time to time. It is because Bush can only understand those that are firm with him, and that provide him only with yes or no answers with no frills or explanations. To try and persuade him in any other fashion is an exercise in frutility.

Tony Snow would often make me cringe when speaking on behave on the President, i sometimes even yelled at him trough the TV screen, but i also knew that he was doing his job. I have nothing personally negative to say about Tony, i'm sure he's a great guy in all aspect's of his personal life. Was amazed he could put on such a brave face, knowing myself the staggering odds he face's in overcoming that dreaded cancer. My mother died 9 years ago at the young age of 59, of the exact type of cancer, spreading just as his has to the liver. I have hope for him that maybe medical treatment has improved so much over the 9 years since my mother passed, that he will survive this & go on to enjoy a long life with his family and friends. Good Luck Tony Snow!

Folk: Interesting article in NYT by Owen West. http://www.nytimes.com/2007/05/01/opinion/01west.html? Don't be put off by the title. I suspect and am asking you to claify for me that what Mr. West suggests is exactly what the bill which Mr. Bush plans to veto will provide. Did I miss something?

Lynn, New Orleans; President Bush & his administration can keep saying all they want, we need to fight them there so we don't have to fight them here, that may have worked in the past, but it no longer resonate's through the american population. The unwillingness of this administration to talk with other countries have created more enemies & hate for america. The fact is the terrorist are already here waiting for the right time to strike. I'm sure they would love to attack again during the Bush Presidency, but maybe they belive waiting for a Democrat President may cause more havoc by using the rhetoric coming from any opposing party against its own citizens to further tear at the fabric of america. Using fear to take away some of our freedom's & to win election's is in itself a form of terrorism, and in my eye's dishonors all soldiers past & present who fight so we can enjoy all our freedom's givin to us under the Constitution. Will fighting them in Iraq prevent another terrorist attack NO! Can another attack happen here, I hope not, will another attack happen probably. Lynn i enjoy reading your post thank's Don

Hey Don: This mess in Iraq is so important to the lives of young Americans and this country here is what the President should do. Invite several top congressional representives (Dems and Repubicans) and some top military brass to Camp David for a brain storming session that would not end until some form of agreement could be worked out on how to reduce the loss of American lives in Iraq. Have the representatives and the military personnel bring their PJs and tooth brushes and several weeks change of clothing, get out the coffee and doughnuts and order some pizza. Then relax in a nice comfy room with soft thick carpet, some lounge chairs, and place two easel pads in the middle of the room. Entitle one "Stay The Course". Entitle the Other "Get Out Of Iraq". Then under each list the pros and cons. Then slowly begin crossing some items out under listed on each pad, highlighting others, adding more, moving some from one easel pad to the other, etc. Break out more coffee and doughnuts, order some more pizza, maybe take a break to watch a good movie or take a swim in the camp pool, then get back to the brain storming. You might want to get an American GI serving in Iraq on a conference call now and then to get their opinion. As it gets late everyone gets into their PJs, tosses around some pillows and continue the brainstorming. If you truly want to compromise you had better learn to set the tone as the leader of this country. This idea might do it.

C A, Tuscaloosa, Al; Your right the mess in Iraq is very important, and i'm in no way here trying to make light of it by what i'll say. Alright i know i'll probably take some hit's for this, from people who don't understand my example of my point here. C A sound's like a plan President Carter would take, a President that could ask for and take advice can make that work, but i truely believe President Bush can only have it one way his way, he will never under any circumstances back away from what he want's.

C R Indianapolis: I believe Jane was being scarcastic when she said the congress should compromise with Bush. It's pretty obvious that no matter what congress does right now, unless Bush thinks of it himself, then it's a no go!

As another veteran of the "cancer wars," I too cannot help but wish Tony Snow well, whether or not I like his job. From the time you get the diagnosis, you become part of a club nobody wants to join. But once you're in, you're in for life, and you can't help but feel for and wish the best for anyone else who is part of it. Oh, and OK, this may not be crucial to anything in the world, but Keith, I'm surprised you and Jason Bateman both did not realize that what Ned Flanders was holding up in the clip of the Simpsons movie was not a hot dog, but a French fry. Look again: he's eating a hamburger and fries, and the long slender thing he's holding up is yellow--not red or brown as you'd expect a hot dog to be--and there's no bun (how many adults eat hot dogs without buns?). And, of course, its being yellow means it looks all the more like Bart's...well...no need to say more, I trust?

Jamie, how correct you are. Thanks. I thought the sarcasm was evident.

Don: I don't think you sound crazy for your suggestion. Some good ole down home southern hospitality along with some Billy Beer at the Camp David Brain Storming retreat might just be the ticket. But we know how Bush will handle this meeting with the Dems. Formal dark and foreboding conference room with a large conference table separating the two sides. He and his cronies on one side and the Senators on the other side. Bush scowls and trys to look Presidential surrounded by Cheney whose eyes drill holes through those on the other side and Rice who has that mean looking frown on her face while her eyes tell the Dems she thinks they are stupid. The Senators/Dems try to look hopeful and try to be courteous and have their say. Bush then whines like a spoiled little boy because the Dems won't support this war. Then he smirks, says something confusing and inaudible then dribbles on the table. The meeting is over. Harry Reid comes out to the microphones and states there has been no compromise. Dick Cheney goes on a couple of news talk shows that evening and again accuses the dems of supporting the agenda of the terrorists. Hell, I could write the script for this meeting.

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