Unreality TV

Get over it, Monica! The Democrats agreed not to filibuster appellate court nominees--they didn't agree to completely forgo filibustering! It would be nice if you *actually* listened rather than hearing what you want to hear!--Christine, Pompano Beach, Fla.The Bolton nomination is a disaster waiting to happen. While Bush and the Administration continue the rhetoric of wanting to strengthen global relations their actions demonstrate the opposite. I support a strong position on all matters affecting our country. In order to be successful  this also means we must be represented by individuals respected and having the highest ethical standards. Mr. Bolton does not fall in this category and the Senate should do what is right for the country by rejecting his nomination. --Anthony Mastrangelo, Prescott, Ariz.I've been listening to TV talking heads, Republican politicians, and Bush Administration officials since last night with regard to the Senate vote to hold up the Bolton nomination. The Bush White House 'talking points" frame this as "Democrat obstructionist business as usual" and a "breakdown of the Senate agreement on judicial filibusters." But the Bolton vote yesterday had to do with continued Bush House obstructionism with regard to supplying adequate info to the Senate BEFORE Senate votes. This is not a new development with regard to the Bolton nomination. Bush administration, please release that info... If you don't, you will be giving the strong impression to the American People that you have something to hide. The comity and goodwill between Senators with regard to judicial filibusters remains intact. Nobody broke their word yesterday with regard to that agreement. Something new, however, is happening in both houses of the U.S. Congress. They are less willing to be White House Rubber Stamps. In 3 days, The Bush White House was told "NO" 3 times. --Marilyn Mason, Boston, Mass.

I cannot understand why we are all the time trying to prove our innocence, to justify our actions. I am watching on TV now how media sharks are sinking their stinky teeth into a Pentagon representative, General Hood, and he is muttering some explanations instead of telling them: Shut up! Why don't you say a word about desecration of Christians and Jews, Bible and Torah by Muslims? Recall executions of Jews in Ramallah and desecration of Americans on a Fallujah bridge, and shut up!--Constantine Ivanov, Queens, N.Y.I would like to know if t tables were turned, and The Bible was mis-handled in the same manner as The Quran, would it even be a news story?--Kimberly Seidel, Las Vegas, N.V.Rather than criticize Newsweek for insufficient checking of sources, why don'treporters go down to Guantanamo and do some research and a latrine check?  Maybewith a perfect fair and balanced approach the world could find out what indeedis being flushed down the toilet.  Maybe uncritical commentators on talk radio are more interested in media bashing than fact finding or truth searching in the Quran matter and prisoner abuse?  Is the jingoistic approach of "my country, right or wrong!" making us immune to the reality and truth of the actions of our nation and its military? --Dr. Terrence Lauerman, De Pere, Wisc.Maybe the lack of anger over the "abuse" of the Quran is due to the general public believing it DID happen and more dismally, that many of the mouthbreathing citizens actually believe it'd be a good thing.  I have had several of my aquaintances tell me that the prison abuses are deserved by the Arabs and they ought to have more of it. --Bob Schmitz Belleview, Fla.Teach these people not to cut off the heads of people who do not believe in the Quran, then maybe they will have some respect for it.  --O.L. Lakeland, Fla.The news media is becoming ridiculous in its reporting.  Flags, bibles and many other sacred items are tampered with or destroyed every day, some unwittingly I'm sure.  This is the sort of reckless journalism that does not warrant all the panic and coverage that is going on.  They should have ignored the story from the beginning.  If Newsweek has nothing more important to report on, they should pack it in.  --M. LeeWhere were the prostestations everytime a hostage's body was desecrated, nay slaughtered on film?  This is opportunism on the part of the Bush administration at it's most transparent.--Brad Watson, Scottsdale, Ariz.

Thankfully there are still some American heroes left among the Senate...14 to be precise! Boo Ya and keep reclaiming our country back from the Rebiblican revolution!--Bill Simms, Plymouth, Mich.It troubles me that 14 senators made the decision for the other 86. Saw Lindsay Graham on Chris Matthews last night and he said we could look for the same 14 to settle the Social Security problem. What have I missed? We the people hired 100 senators and only 14 are working?--Janie Whitt, Visalia, Calif.I would expect 6 Republican Senators will either not run for the Senate again --- or will be thrown out of office in their next election. Ergo The Democrats will pick up 6 seats reversing the senate's makeup. --Gil Jungert, Grand Junction, Colo.I was hoping for a showdown, expecting Frist's "nuclear option" to blow up in his face. I am disappointed that the moderates' deal essentially allows the up/down vote on 3 candidates that are unacceptable to me. The Democrats lose and we lose... --Barb, Tampa, Fla.The so called agreement in the Senate is not a "win" for the American people. The filibuster is long overdue for burial. If the majority party does something the public doesn't like, we'll vote them out!--Richard Spitzmesser, Hometown: Cibolo, TexasIt's absolutely a breath of fresh air in this hot summer of Republican political thuggery to see statesmen rise above the ignorance of partisan politics.--William, KansasThose who voted for Bush in 2004 never understood the far-reaching consequences. After the intervention in the Terri Schiavo case, their eyes should be opened. Unfortunately, now it will be hard work to turn back the tide of the Republican majority. The polls are being ignored, and there is no representation. Let's just hope the American people will be more mindful in the 2006 and 2008 elections.--Lori, ArizonaPartisan politics has loways been the name of the game. When something happens that looks like both sides are cooperating, you gotta know that a deal has been done that will not be made known to Joe six-pack. Congress only has the respect of the rich. Mean while Joe-Four pack has just gotten it again.--Pacheck, Huntington Beach, Calif.I don't think anybody won.I think it was a ploy to get their names and faces before the American people pretending they were working for us. Those members of both parties have pretty weak backbones.--Anonymous, Mandeville, La.

I support the use of tax dollars for embryonic stem cell research. The benefits to mankind from these efforts have the potential to effect change for countless people with debilitating disease and injuries.  If right wing extremist find this effort unethical due to their belief's the solution is simple: Do not avail yourself to the treatments.-- Anthony Mastrangelo, Prescott, Ariz.For countless Americans waiting for their lives to go on, our leaders must support legislation that will allow stem cell research to advance. Stem cell research is about families. It is about life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Stem cell research advances the culture of life. -- Viewer, Va.How sad it is for our country when Bush, in spite of public opinion, refuses to budge on scientific research.  To see our country wait on the sideline while the advances are coming in other countries.  Remember the pride we used to take in being the world's leader in medical advances.-- Mark Kjergaard,S.C.Only the most uninformed zealots cannot understand that embryonic stem cell research does not end human life. These pre-embryos come from fertility clinics and would otherwise be discarded. Literally thrown into a "medical waste" bin.  If our government doesn't fully research stem cells we will fall behind many other countries. It seems some people insist on trying to pull our country back into an era long gone. -- Kristi, TiftonI find it interesting that those that see stem cell research as "taking a life"  but don't see sending our troops to Iraq is "not taking a life to save a life"  We need to get such narrow "religious dogma"  out of our government. Live your life as a Christian etc. but don't run the country like a church!  --GabrielleAt a time when American colleges and universities are graduating fewer and fewer mathematicians and scientists, the President of the United States has given medicine and science in this country another blow by condemning the scientific advancement in embryonic stem cell research achieved by South Korea. --Constance

Republicans and Democrats did not win or lose this battle concerning the vote, we the American people lose to their inability to vote.  -- Robert Swindle, Tenn. The compromise reached by Senate moderates regarding filibuster rules is a fraud on the American people. It postpones a showdown but dilutes the power of the minority! What is fair and balanced about that? -- Jiggs, Long Beach, Calif.I am so glad to hear that there are some centrists in the Senate. You would never know if from the likes of cable news. John McCain is a real conservative as I remember them, these other noisy ingrates are reactionaries and know not the meaning of compromise. We can only hope that these 14 centrists will take a firm hand and teach the rest of the Senate respect for the minority or at least civility.--Ivan Thompson, Greencastle Pa.The 11th hour agreement could be more benificial to the Democrats. Republicans may have splt thier party. Sen. Frist had a lot of pressure on him to complete the domination of all wings of goverment,and failed. Sen McCain may have made some enemies, but he won alot of swing voters over, like myself.--Floyd Masters, Salt Lake City, Utah What a deal. The seven Democrats say they have preserved the right to filibuster in "extraordinary circumstances," but they define extraordinary circumstances as not including Priscilla Owen, Janice Rogers Brown, and William Pryor, three of the most right-wing nominees ever. To block enemies of the Constitution like these three is the very reason for the filibuster! Don't be fooled by any absurd declarations of victory. These three are the main ones Bush wanted to win. We have learned a valuable lesson, as if we didn't already know it. We cannot depend on Senate Democrats to stand firm, no matter what is at stake. It is disheartening, but also liberating. It's all in our own hands. Fight on! --David Van Os, Candidate for Attorney General of TexasI think the US Senate and Senators [Reps and Dems alike] are making "much to do about nothing" on the deal struck yesterday on constitutional procedure. For the overall protection of the American people, I for one believe "gridlock" is now the order of the day. Yesterday's deal is an attempt to make them all look good. They seemed to have leaned a lot from Mr. Bush and his gang on grandstanding and diverting the issues before their constituents; and you, our respected media giants, help them fulfill their self promotion.  The question is, how are these forceful, hardworking leaders of government going to get us out of Iraq, save lives and save US taxpayers $80 billion a year? It's hard work!!  --Albert Colone, Oneonta, N.Y. What did we, the people win??? Absolutely nothing..because this filibuster fight isn't over, it just got delayed a little is all.--Meryl Vladimer, Brooklyn, N.Y.It's not about who wins and who loses; it's about working the way the American people expect that the Senate and House should. With discussion of all views, minority and majority, with compromise to help represent all the people not just those of one party or the other. Represent what the people want not the lobbyists.--Dee, Wilkes Barre, Pa. I am thankful that there are senators who are not afraid to stand up to pressure groups and do what is right. Now let's get down to real business and do something for the American people.--Sherrie Farley, Greenville, TexasThe filibuster deal is leaves both sides winners/losers;truly a bi-partisan effort indicated by the fact both sides are complaining.--Gorden Hanz, Hartford, Conn.I'm glad to see that the center took back some power yesterday from the extremists in both parties. It is nice to see some bipartisan cooperation for once in our bitterly divided country. --Jonathan Long, West Chester, Pa.The American People have said very clearly poll after poll that the Filibuster must remain intact with the current rules. Should Frist and other Republicans ignore the American People the consequences are obvious. I know I have heard from many people that 2006 will be a election to balance power. If that is a indication of peoples feelings the Republicans may find themselves in the minority once again. The filibuster was created for the purpose of balancing power and protecting the minority.--Crystal, Minn.

The mainstream media lost it's credibility with the public, whether you will ever except it or not, as soon as they allowed the president to take the focus from Afghanistan and put it erroneously on Iraq. You can't have credible followers when you don't have credible leaders. It doesn't get any clearer than that. Once the media/press continued with the charade of Saddam being responsible for 9/11 and the WMDs didn't exist, whether we remain in denial or not. The rest of the world is very wised to the deceitful tactics ourleaders chose to implement instead of truth.--Wilberta Berry, Pittsburgh, Pa.          The print media may have lost some of it's credibility, but television media has none. When I was instructed "Believe only half of what you see and nothing that you hear." I guess Grandma was right.--Claudia Duberstein, Tarpon Springs, Fla.  I just heard one of your moderators say something about the U.S. still having a "free press" and I'm laughng sooooooooooo hard I can hardly type!!!!! Pu-leeeaaase! We all know the press is owned by 'those same few' who own almost everything of value, along with our government! You want REAL news??? Go to the Internet! (at least for now, they'll probably destroy that soon!). --Anonymous, Newton, New JerseyI think that the American public is sick of hearing how many soldiers we have lost in the Mideast on any given day. I don't think that our government has been truthful on the exact number of casualties there has been since this war has started. How many caskets were really brought back in the dead of night before anyone asked the question of why flag-drapped casket were being brought back at night? --Ed Gildner, San Angelo, TexasI wish you would do an update on the reporters that wouldn't give up their sources in the outing of the CIA operative. I think it is an outrage they would threaten them with prison time. --Sue Treadway, Sacramento, Calif.It is clear to most Americans that the mainstream media is against the war in Iraq.  Therefore, they print one negative story after another.  I have yet to see a positive story in the NY Times on things we are doing to improve life in Iraq.  The press was all but forced to cover the elections and the formation of a new government. But ask your left leaning guests to decribe some specific project undertaken in the past 30 days by the military that is improving life for Iraqis--  I'll bet they can't do it. They sure haven't told us about it. --Delia Emmons, N. Caldwell, N.J.

That's just what we need, a nation full of whistleblowers, pointing fingers at neighbors they don't like... wasting the time of the National Guard, police, not to mention wasting tax payer money! --Darcy Leanne, Portland, MaineI live on the San Francisco Peninsula, where in two cities bordering mine, they have set up work centers for the immigrants to go to seek work. This was done to remove the day laborers off the street corners waiting to be picked up for jobs.  I'm totally against this! Most of these day laborers are here illegally. Instead of deporting them, we instead help them find employment. ILLEGAL! That is a simple word to understand. These people sneak across our borders, and are here illegally. They drain our medical system, live in houses meant for single families yet have up to 20 people living in them. There have been fires and death due to this over crowding. It's against the law to ask if they have legal paperwork to be here. So, they are free to use every resource that should only be available to our citizens, and immigrants that may wait years to enter our country legally. This is just not right! We need to question and deport these individuals, not pamper and protect them.--Pam Avers, Belmont Calif.I would turn in an illegal in a second. Not a problem, it would save this country billions of dollars that could be going to our schools, social security, medical, and our people’s needs. It is the Bush administration that is offering basically illegals a foothold in this country and has done little to protect our borders. Vigilanties are not those whom help enforce the laws of this country. Vigilanties would be those whom break a law in that effort. This has not happened, the American people have a right and should protect their country.--Barb, Crystal, Minn.It’s obvious our present government is much more interested in securing a source of cheap labor that keeps American wages depressed than they are in securing our borders from terrorists. A life term in prison for CEOs and confiscation of all corporate resources when they hire an illegal would stop the problem.--Toni Boutwell, Myrtle Beach, SCI see bigots and racists using the Web to harass people of color, brown in particular, by suggesting they’re illegal. Will there be criminal prosecution for false reporting? I doubt it.  I’m not a TERRORIST, I’m just a Mexican. --Hector AcunaIt is Republicans that are hiring these illegal emigrants and protecting them. --Den

Should Senator Frist continue the path he has chosen he will find himself looking for employment. The American People have said very clearly poll after poll that the filibuster must remain intact with the current rules. Should Frist and other republicans ignore the American People the consequences are obvious. I know I have heard from many people that 2006 will be a election to balance power. If that is a indication of people's feelings the Republicans may find themselves in the minority once again. I know I see the 2006 election in my state as a balance of power. I think the Republicans have gone too far. Everyone should be very afraid. The filibuster was created for the purpose of balancing power and protecting the minority. Without it we do not have a democracy. We have a country of one party rule. -- Crystal, Minn.This is a question of trying to get activist judges for the Republicans religous conservative base. This has nothing to do with up or down votes. What the Republicans do not realize is that there are moderates like myself and others that see a balance of power will be needed in 2006 and 2008. Without the filibuster we may as well call this one party rule and not a democracy. The filibuster protects the rights of the minority and balances power. Without it you simply do not have a democracy period. Up or down vote is hardly right considering the Republicans have majority in both houses. So, to say it is fair or balanced is hardly the truth.-- Barb, Crystal, Minn.