SALON

Thursday, Feb 1, 2007 12:49 PM UTC

The senators vs. the president

As Levin and Warner agree on anti-escalation resolution, Bush admonishes the Senate to support the troops.

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Topics: Iraq war, War Room, Carl Levin, D-Mich.,

More on the deal Sens. Carl Levin and John Warner have struck on a resolution opposing George W. Bush’s escalation of the war in Iraq: The Los Angeles Times reports that Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid expects “near” unanimous approval from Democrats — and that Warner apparently hopes to pick up support from more Republicans with new clauses that oppose the cutting off of funds for the war and call on the government of Nouri al-Maliki to commit itself in writing to benchmarks for progress.

Appearing on Fox News Wednesday, the president reiterated his opposition to any anti-escalation resolution, saying: “My admonition to those who are speaking out is let us back the troops and let us hope for the success” of their mission.

And in an interview with the Wall Street Journal’s editorial board, Bush seemed to lay down a dare for members of the Senate: Defund the war or shut up about it. Asked whether he thought Congress has the power to cut off funding for the war, Bush said: “Oh yeah. They can say ‘We won’t fund.’ That is a constitutional authority of Congress.”

Tim Grieve

Tim Grieve is a senior writer and the author of Salon's War Room blog. More Tim Grieve.

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Gripping photos: The people of the Turkey protests (slideshow)

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  • The protests take on a festive element as police forces move out of the park and square. Wearing a gas mask, this young man dances to traditional Turkish music in front of Taksim Square’s Ataturk Monument.

  • In Gezi Park since March 31st, this protester, originally caught off-guard by the Government’s teargas and water cannons, went out and bought a Russian army mask from WWII, preparing for what was to come.

  • This rambunctious boy seems to be enjoying the chaos. After taking this picture he threw a stone at the already destroyed building in the background.

  • Forming a line, the police face off directly with protesters in Taksim Square. After a while, they retreated and there was a general cheer – a back-and-forth dance that has been common since the beginning of this protest.

  • An elderly woman in Gezi Park reads the news. The tent community occupying the park was violently destroyed on June 16th.

  • Many different groups had set up booths to promote their cause in Taksim Square and Gezi Park. Standing in front of one, this man waves his flag while posing with conviction.

  • Many home-remedies are used to minimize the effects of tear gas. This woman has put a milky solution on her face, removing her mask after the tear gas dissipated. Before sunrise, the police came again for another round of teargasing.

  • People capitalize on the uprising -- selling flags, beer, gas masks, sky lanterns and spray paint to name just a few of the popular items.

  • On Monday morning, June 11, the police execute a strong offensive. Many plain-clothed police officers, like the ones seen here, clash with protesters in the side streets away from the main stand-off in Taksim.

  • The authorities seem to be most aggressive in the night, pushing protesters away from the square and park. After being teargassed this young woman catches her breath with other protesters on Siraselviler Street.

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