This week in politics
Matthew Zavala, Washington Correspondent
Issue date: 3/20/07 Section: Opinion
March 19, 2003
Last night, March 19, marked the four year anniversary that the U.S. led invasion of Iraq began in an effort to oust Saddam Hussein. The effort at that time was to oust Hussein for his harboring of weapons of mass destruction. Four years later, images of roadside attacks and innocent civilians being killed by insurgents are shown nightly on the news. Though the images are grotesque and intense, it seems that people are almost desensitized to it.
The war in Iraq has now grown terribly unpopular. In Washington, DC over the weekend, there were several anti-war demonstrations and a major march at the Pentagon. Candlelight vigils were also held the nation to remember the fallen and to make a call to end the war and bring U.S. forces home.
More Drama on Capitol Hill
The firing of eight U.S. Attorneys has led to several Democrats and even a Republican to call for the resignation of Attorney General Alberto Gonzales. Though Gonzales accepts responsibility, he said he will not resign. President Bush, who considers Gonzales a close and personal friend, said he was disappointed but has not asked him to resign. The 2008 Democratic presidential candidates smell blood in the water.
There was a leaked email showing that Bush's top advisor Karl Rove may have had a hand in the firings, which seems now were carried out for political reasons. Rove is already a target for Democrats on the Hill because of his possible role in the identity of Valerie Plame being revealed as a CIA operative. Because his position does not go through Senate confirmation, the Senate may have a harder time requesting Rove to testify under oath. Gonzales will head to the Hill in April to testify.
President Candidates Try to Win Over Fire Fighters
Last Wednesday, the International Association of Fire Fighters (I.A.F.F.) held a bipartisan presidential forum in Washington, DC. Though the majority was Democrats, three Republican presidential candidates delivered remarks. The endorsement of the I.A.F.F. is key in any race as it did boost Sen. John Kerry's (D-MA) ratings in 2004.
Senators Hillary Clinton (D-NY) and Barack Obama (D-IL) delivered passionate speeches giving praise to the firefighters for their daily work and their heroics on 9/11. Sen. Joe Biden (D-DE) made his speech more personal because of firefighter's efforts to save his burning home several years ago and to save his own life when he suffered a cranial aneurism.
Quote of the Week
"Good news for the Bush administration. Just one week after the outrageous Walter Reed Medical Center Scandal, that story is gone! Off the front page. Way back now in Marmaduke country. Cause there's a new kid in town and his name is 'outrageous fired federal prosecutors Attorney General scandal.' Yes, in one week, it's been revealed that the administration screwed over wounded vets - the most revered people in America - and lawyers - the most reviled people in America - proving … they've got range…"
-Jon Stewart, The Daily Show
Last night, March 19, marked the four year anniversary that the U.S. led invasion of Iraq began in an effort to oust Saddam Hussein. The effort at that time was to oust Hussein for his harboring of weapons of mass destruction. Four years later, images of roadside attacks and innocent civilians being killed by insurgents are shown nightly on the news. Though the images are grotesque and intense, it seems that people are almost desensitized to it.
The war in Iraq has now grown terribly unpopular. In Washington, DC over the weekend, there were several anti-war demonstrations and a major march at the Pentagon. Candlelight vigils were also held the nation to remember the fallen and to make a call to end the war and bring U.S. forces home.
More Drama on Capitol Hill
The firing of eight U.S. Attorneys has led to several Democrats and even a Republican to call for the resignation of Attorney General Alberto Gonzales. Though Gonzales accepts responsibility, he said he will not resign. President Bush, who considers Gonzales a close and personal friend, said he was disappointed but has not asked him to resign. The 2008 Democratic presidential candidates smell blood in the water.
There was a leaked email showing that Bush's top advisor Karl Rove may have had a hand in the firings, which seems now were carried out for political reasons. Rove is already a target for Democrats on the Hill because of his possible role in the identity of Valerie Plame being revealed as a CIA operative. Because his position does not go through Senate confirmation, the Senate may have a harder time requesting Rove to testify under oath. Gonzales will head to the Hill in April to testify.
President Candidates Try to Win Over Fire Fighters
Last Wednesday, the International Association of Fire Fighters (I.A.F.F.) held a bipartisan presidential forum in Washington, DC. Though the majority was Democrats, three Republican presidential candidates delivered remarks. The endorsement of the I.A.F.F. is key in any race as it did boost Sen. John Kerry's (D-MA) ratings in 2004.
Senators Hillary Clinton (D-NY) and Barack Obama (D-IL) delivered passionate speeches giving praise to the firefighters for their daily work and their heroics on 9/11. Sen. Joe Biden (D-DE) made his speech more personal because of firefighter's efforts to save his burning home several years ago and to save his own life when he suffered a cranial aneurism.
Quote of the Week
"Good news for the Bush administration. Just one week after the outrageous Walter Reed Medical Center Scandal, that story is gone! Off the front page. Way back now in Marmaduke country. Cause there's a new kid in town and his name is 'outrageous fired federal prosecutors Attorney General scandal.' Yes, in one week, it's been revealed that the administration screwed over wounded vets - the most revered people in America - and lawyers - the most reviled people in America - proving … they've got range…"
-Jon Stewart, The Daily Show
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