Politics: The Dark Ages edition

[AtLast]

Yes, DARK AGES!!! This is plain infantile!! These public servants do receive paychecks from us!! I have really had it with these idiots!! They are obstructing a hell of a lot more than the health-care reform reconciliation bill! This is interfering with what is happening with our troops- you know, the ones that have their lives on the line! ENOUGH!!!


Please join me in writing letters, emails making phone calls... whatever to both the GOP & Dems and let them know they are being remiss in their duties (job)! If you have family/friends serving in the military in Afghanistan or Iraq, it seems that this kind of behavior could put your loved ones in jeopardy if it continues. The health-care reforms are not the only business of the Senate!! How many of us can just quit the day early and not get penalized for doing so?

GOP Senators Refusing To Work Past 2PM, Invoking Obscure Rule

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/03/24/gop-senators-refusing-to_n_511639.html


Senate Republicans fuming over the passage of health care reform are now refusing to work past 2 p.m. -- a tactic they can employ by invoking a little-known Senate rule.

On Wednesday, the Judiciary Committee was forced to cancel a hearing as was the Senate Armed Services Committee.
Sen. Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.) tweeted today : "Disappointed. Rs refusing to allow hearings today. Had to cancel my oversight hearing on police training contracts in Afghanistan."
Sen. Mark Udall also complained that he had to delay a hearing on the cause of Western forest fires.
Making good on Sen. John McCain's threat to withhold all Republican cooperation from Democrats in the Senate in retribution for the majority party using reconciliation to pass health care reform, the GOP used the rule that states committees can only meet when the chamber is in session with the unanimous consent of all members. That consent has almost never been withheld -- until now.
Armed Services Chairman Carl Levin (D-Mich.) asked for consent for his panel to operate Wednesday afternoon. He noted, ironically, that his request had the support of McCain.
"There is objection on our side of the aisle and therefore I object," said Sen. Richard Burr (R-N.C.).
The GOP objection blocked testimony from Admiral Robert Willard, United States Navy Commander of the U.S. Pacific Command; from General Kevin Chilton, United States Air Force, Commander of the U.S. Strategic Command, and from General Walter Sharp, United States Army Commander, U.S. Forces Korea.



For his part, Judiciary Chairman Pat Leahy (D-Vt.) was livid when his committee was forced to delay consideration of several judicial nominees.
"I have accommodated requests from Judiciary Committee Republicans to delay the Committee's hearing to consider Professor Liu's nomination," Leahy said.
He continued: "For months, Senate Republicans have resisted efforts to enact important reforms to our health insurance system. But when the dust settles and the emotions are calmed, history will show that President Obama and this Congress responded to a pressing national issue, and proved once again that we can act with the purpose of advancing an important national interest. Sadly, actions like today's objections from Senate Republicans to the consideration of a highly qualified, historic nominee will be viewed as little more than petty, partisan politics."
Jim Manley, a spokesperson for Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.), objected to the objection. "For a second straight day, Republicans are using tricks to shut down several key Senate committees. So let me get this straight: in retaliation for our efforts to have an up-or-down vote to improve health care reform, Republicans are blocking an Armed Services committee hearing to discuss critical national security issues among other committee meetings? These political games and obstruction have to stop -- the American people expect and deserve better."

Without unanimous consent, committees are allowed to meet for two hours following the opening of the Senate session -- which on Wednesday was 9:00 a.m. The committees need consent to continue and consent again to continue after 2:00 p.m. Sen. Daniel Akaka (D-Hawaii), Chairman of the Veterans' Affairs Committee, had his hearing shut down abruptly at 11:00 Wednesday morning, in the middle of a discussion on the effort to end veteran homelessness in the next five years. It is estimated that more than 100,000 veterans are homeless in the United States on any given night.
"The Senate should be a place for debate, but I cannot imagine how shutting down a hearing on helping homeless veterans has any part of the debate on the health insurance reform," said Akaka. "I am deeply disappointed that my colleagues chose to hinder our common work to help end veteran homelessness."
Committee meetings were also canceled on Tuesday, but as the result of a behind-the-scenes threat, rather than an on-the-floor objection. One meeting that was shut down even dealt with transparency in government. The Executive Director of the Sunlight Foundation, Ellen Miller was cut off during the hearing.
Nick Wing contributed reporting to this post.

[Linus]

You know what, I'd make sure that every MSM knows about them not working beyond 2pm. And then I'd run a series of ad campaigns about how they are lazy and not really interested in helping voters, just themselves. I have a feeling with so many people out of work, they won't appreciate the lack of work ethic in those that should be doing something especially when having a job.

[Greyson]

Shaking my head. In all my years of following the US Congress and state level legislators...... Some of this stuff is just down right amusing but also sad and pathetic.

What a bunch of big babies. "I didn't get my way. So now I am going to be even more obstinate and with no real regard, nor concern for the American people."

[Apocalipstic]

I am just so incredibly depressed about the whole thing. I wonder how bad things will get before people wake up.

Originally Posted by HowSoonIsNow

New GOP Poll Shows Scary Results

The Harris poll says that two thirds of Republicans (40% of Americans) believe that President Obama is a socialist. 57% (32% overall) believe that he is a Muslim, and 45% (25% overall) believe that he was not born in this country.

The scariest statistic though, is that 24% of Republicans believe that Obama is the antichrist.

*Hangs Head* I have to admit, when I found out W was OK with torture, I kept wondering when he was going to sprout a tail and start wearing a little cape.

Originally Posted by MsDemeanor

The antichrist number doesn't bother me so much; you're talking about 5% of the population. I'd assume that at least 5% of the population is in the religious wing-nut camp and that they assume anything that they don't like is the antichrist.

I find the other numbers much more disturbing. 40% of Americans have no idea of what Socialism is, and 25% prefer to believe lies spewed by Faux Newz and other wing-nuts to clear and documented facts about the President's birthplace. Don't even get me started on the glaring inability to apply the most basic of logic to the 32% who think he's Muslim while at the same time blasting him for attending Rev. Wright's Christian church.

This country needs a serious overhaul of it's educational system. Oh, wait, education is elitist. Sorry, my bad.

How did anyone get out of Jr. High not knowing what socialism is. SCREAM.

It is incredibly concerning how little people learned in school. Basic stuff.

[WILDCAT]

... where to plunk these little news nuggets. (And sorry if on another thread already, I've been looking...?)

I was just watching CNN and the uproar about Michael Steele being "in the hot seat", regarding a political gathering PAID for by the RNC that was at a sex club, specializing or well known as a "bondage nightclub", and had strippers during this event, etc...

I have to laugh a bit, at the hypocricy. I wonder what fucking Beck will say about this. Geez, I wonder who in the party they will "blame". (Steele seems like the perfect scapegoat... and he has asked for so much.)
___

Then there is a huge piece to run for several weeks now on CNN regarding Scientology. A former big shot, kicked out of the church is spilling his guts, about the "head" guy (the new RON H. #1 dude) kicking peoples asses and beating the shit out of them, and other staff below him ordered to do so - including the guy "talking" now, etc... (who admits he did this at the orders of the head guy and of course, they are saying only "he was abusive, was let go, and is trying to get back at the church"). This should be very interesting, to see how this develops.

And I wonder what Tom Cruise comes out with in defense on this one!

Happy, happy everyone... (Just me - who STILL DISTAINS ORGANIZED RELIGION and certain political parties!)

SMILE and peace ya'll!

WILDCAT

[UofMfan]

Heads, except his own, begin to fall.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/0..._n_518110.html

[Soon]

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PP0AY4PNVlg"]YouTube- How Did So Many Republicans End Up Believing Falsehoods About Obama?[/ame]

[AtLast]

Originally Posted by WILDCAT

... where to plunk these little news nuggets. (And sorry if on another thread already, I've been looking...?)

I was just watching CNN and the uproar about Michael Steele being "in the hot seat", regarding a political gathering PAID for by the RNC that was at a sex club, specializing or well known as a "bondage nightclub", and had strippers during this event, etc...

I have to laugh a bit, at the hypocricy. I wonder what fucking Beck will say about this. Geez, I wonder who in the party they will "blame". (Steele seems like the perfect scapegoat... and he has asked for so much.)
___

Then there is a huge piece to run for several weeks now on CNN regarding Scientology. A former big shot, kicked out of the church is spilling his guts, about the "head" guy (the new RON H. #1 dude) kicking peoples asses and beating the shit out of them, and other staff below him ordered to do so - including the guy "talking" now, etc... (who admits he did this at the orders of the head guy and of course, they are saying only "he was abusive, was let go, and is trying to get back at the church"). This should be very interesting, to see how this develops.

And I wonder what Tom Cruise comes out with in defense on this one!

Happy, happy everyone... (Just me - who STILL DISTAINS ORGANIZED RELIGION and certain political parties!)

SMILE and peace ya'll!

WILDCAT

Watching the CNN presentations this week about the Scientology head and this scandal. I honestly am not that well-versed in Scientology, but, have always wondered why it seems to be the religion of the stars? It appears that the majority of its members are white and rich. Hummm... sound familiar?

It will be interesting to see how Steele handles the bondage club GOP Social event! What amazes me is that these idiots continue to do this kind of stuff with all of the media people out there watching them! Guess, they just can't help themselves....

Overall, I am very tired ofthe garbage that goes on in both major political parties. Here we are in one of the worst financial situations ever and these people are doing nothing but pointing fingers and thinking about re-election and the 2012 presidential election!

HELLO.... this will never change without a complete overhaul of campaign funding, including it being via public funds that are all equal! Look at how much $ is thrown down the political toilets! And how much is exempt for churches based upon very flimsy legislation that runs counter to the Constitution...

[Jess]

Maybe we need more LGBT churches.. doing more lobbying, oops , I mean outreach. I hear you can become licensed with an on line certificate.