Thank You For Standing Up

Thinkprogress:

A few days ago, ThinkProgress noted the top 43 individuals who helped President Bush shape the worst presidency in modern history. While there was much to deplore over the past eight years, there were also a few bright spots.

In the Bush era marked by deceit and deception, these were some of the individuals and groups — both inside and outside the government (ranked in no particular order) — who stood up to speak truth to power. This is by no means a comprehensive list. Let us know who you’re thankful for in the comments section.

Henry Waxman, for being deemed by Republicans as “the scariest man in Washington” for his dogged oversight activities.

Charles Swift, for daring to take on his government over the illegal military tribunal system and then, unfortunately, being passed over for promotion.

Richard Clarke, for speaking out about Bush’s pre-9/11 neglect of terrorism and post-9/11 attempt to link Iraq and al Qaeda.

Paul Krugman, for warning years in advance of the housing bubble and opposing the policies of Alan Greenspan.

The Dixie Chicks, for being rightfully “ashamed” of Bush in the lead-up to the Iraq war and then facing the blowback.

The 23 Senators and 133 congressmen who voted against the Iraq war resolution.
Joseph Wilson and Valerie Plame Wilson, for speaking out about Bush’s false case for war in Iraq and then suffering the retribution.

Patrick Fitzgerald, for doggedly pursuing the prosecution of Scooter Libby and revealing the cloud that hangs over Dick Cheney.
New York Times and James Risen, for revealing Bush’s illegal warrantless wiretapping and aggravating Dick Cheney.
Judge Anna Taylor Diggs, for striking down Bush’s illegal warrantless wiretapping program as an unconstitutional infringement on the right to privacy and free speech.
John Podesta, for building and orchestrating the “vast left-wing conspiracy.”
Al Gore, for giving a sensible voice to opposition of Bush’s policies on Iraq, civil liberties, and the environment.
Cindy Sheehan, for making a stand in Crawford in the summer of 2005.
The Netroots: Markos, Atrios, Josh Marshall, Arianna Huffington, FireDogLake, Crooks and Liars, Andrew Sullivan, and so many our other blogging comrades in arms who helped forge the path of rational opposition to many of Bush’s failed policies.
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And also my special thanks to:

1. Former OJJDP Program Manager Scott B. Peterson for blowing the whistle on his boss OJJDP Administrator J. Robert Flores for ignoring his staff and steering millions of dollars of grant money to organizations with connection politically to the Bush Administration.Click to here to read the about the Juvenile Justice scandal.

2. Youth Today, an online small youth newspaper that help expose OJJDP scandal.

3. Dennis Kucinich, who had the guts to present articles of impeachment for Bush and Cheney.

4. Paul O'Neill, the former Treasury Secretary who spoke out against the Bush Administration and accused Bush on a planned Iraq invasion . He also is an adviser to Obama.

5. All of the JL readers who express opinions about where this country is headed under the Bush Administration.