Quote :

"on the scale of "important to not-important,""

They're throwing a bit of a temper tantrum on this.

Blocking the New Start Treaty and the Defense Authorization Bill because they are non-important things is an argument that just doesn't carry a lot of water.

As for DADT if they hadn't obstructed, filibustered, and demanded a study, they wouldn't have run so low on time in the first place. Its rather weaselly to run out the clock intentionally and then complain there's no time.

The truth of the matter is they want to block as much as they can until the next session starts. Then they can block things like DADT repeal from ever happening.

[Edited on December 1, 2010 at 10:24 PM. Reason : .]

12/1/2010 10:14:02 PM

Quote :

"Blocking the New Start Treaty and the Defense Authorization Bill because they are non-important things just is an argument that just doesn't carry a lot of water."

I'm sorry, but I really think the START treaty can wait a couple months. Hell isn't going to freeze over in the meantime... And I'm perfectly happy with them delaying a military bill that has unrelated shit packed into it to hold the military aspect over their heads. Perfectly fucking happy. That kind of shit is part of what's wrong w/ Congress at this point. You wanna talk about illegal aliens? PUT IT IN ITS OWN FUCKING BILL.

Quote :

"As for DADT if they hadn't obstructed, filibustered, and demanded a study, they wouldn't have run so low on time in the first place."

If it were really so fucking important, don't you think the Dems could have brought it to a vote before now? They had the votes for almost two years. Instead, while the economy floundered, they pushed through all kinds of their own pet projects, including ObamaCare. You can't blame that on 'pubs, dude. The Dems made their priorities clear. And now that the clock IS running out, they are bitching that somehow the minority is to blame? bullshit.

12/1/2010 10:25:04 PM

Quote :

"If it [DADT repeal] were really so fucking important, don't you think the Dems could have brought it to a vote before now?"

They did. It was filibustered to death. This is take number 2.

12/1/2010 10:31:24 PM

yeah, after they put so much emphasis on other things. They didn't bring that shit up up in EITHER HOUSE until THIS MAY. For something that was "so important," it sure as fuck took them a long time to do something about it. No, the fact is that the Dems figured they would have another term in the total majority, so they put it on the back-burner. Well, now it's coming back to bite them in the ass. What was that that libs were saying in 2008? "Elections have consequences?" Well yes, yes they do. GET OVER IT.

And, AGAIN, if DADT was so fucking important, why did they wait to tuck it into another unrelated bill? Why didn't they bring it up on its own? Nothing stopped them from doing so. They were, after all, in the majority. No, they wanted to try to pass it through under something else that they could hold over Republicans' heads. They wanted to play politics. Well, the 'pubs are now playing politics back. Payback is a bitch

[Edited on December 1, 2010 at 10:39 PM. Reason : ]

12/1/2010 10:36:07 PM

Quote :

"And, AGAIN, if DADT was so fucking important, why did they wait to tuck it into another unrelated bill?"

DADT is hardly unrelated. And DADT was born on a defense bill, you don't have any ground that its not fitting that it dies there too, no matter how much caps lock you use.

12/1/2010 11:40:41 PM

Quote :

"I'm sorry, but I really think the START treaty can wait a couple months."

It can't. Adding any amendments would be non-binding to Russia, meaning any changes republicans wanted wouldn't mean shit unless the entire treaty was renegotiated. Considering this treaty took almost a year to get ready for a ratification vote, Im assuming it would take another year for a new one to be negotiated. Thats another year that Russia's arms go unverified and Russia has already balked at the idea of having to renegotiate the entire thing, even threatening to begin building stockpiles again.

The treaty was approved in Committee way back in September. Republicans got the $84 billion in nuc modernization that they wanted and now they have said they aren't going to sign it (although it looks like some might be coming around). None has offered a good reason why it's not good enough for them (atleast that I have read).



pure naked partisanship IMO. Just can't stand to see a democrat pass anything.

12/2/2010 8:45:01 AM

When you have past officials who've been in these positions of all political stripes coming in and saying "Don't fuck this up" you would hope the republicans would be more mature and professional not to use this item as a political hockey puck. I would like to give Burro enough credit to already know this but it's abundantly obvious that they want to stall and delay this until they get even more republicans in the Senate which would make passage less likely just so they can pin the failure on the president. Fucking pathetic.

12/2/2010 9:34:28 AM

GOP House disbands House Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming for the sake of trimming the budget

http://www.boston.com/news/politics/articles/2010/12/02/gop_moves_quickly_to_kill_climate_change_panel/

Quote :

"Pelosi, a California Democrat, created the House Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming to draw attention to climate-change science and showcase how a cap on carbon dioxide need not be a threat to economic growth."

Quote :

"When the panel convened yesterday, Sensenbrenner, a Wisconsin Republican, said the hearing “will be the last of the select committee.’’ The lawmaker had advocated extending the panel as a forum to scrutinize Obama administration actions. In an opinion column on Nov. 8 in the Washington newspaper Roll Call, he wrote that the committee was more qualified than any other to challenge Obama environmental initiatives that he said may threaten the economy. He acknowledged that other Republicans thought the panel should be eliminated to save money."

Subsequently, Speaker Bohner will form a new committee called the House Select Committee for Ear-Covering and Shouting of LALALALA.

12/2/2010 3:20:46 PM

^ that would describe AGW proponents to a tee when faced with evidence they don't like, lol

12/2/2010 5:33:16 PM

Quote :

"DADT is hardly unrelated. "

Tangentially. it shouldn't have been passed on the back of the first bill. It shouldn't be repealed on the back of another. If it's so fucking important, do it by itself and be done with it

Quote :

"Adding any amendments would be non-binding to Russia, meaning any changes republicans wanted wouldn't mean shit unless the entire treaty was renegotiated."

What makes you think 'pubs in the senate would add new amendments? They don't have the majority now, they won't have it later. What's the fucking difference? None

[Edited on December 2, 2010 at 5:35 PM. Reason : sorry for ze double post]

12/2/2010 5:33:59 PM

^^Yea, climate legislation proponents are always avoiding the issue of climate legislation. I think you missed the point. Did you read the 2nd quote?

12/2/2010 5:44:36 PM

too bad I was talking about scientists, not legislators or lobbyist. fuck

12/2/2010 5:49:34 PM

Quote :

"What makes you think 'pubs in the senate would add new amendments?"

I figured the only legitimate reason to oppose ratifying a nuclear disarmament treaty was because you somehow thought the treaty was somehow unfair or not a good enough bargain for your country, meaning they would need to change or add to the treaty to satisfy.

They don't need a majority to hold up ratification, therefore they wouldn't need a majority to force a compromise with an amendment that they wanted, a good example would be the $84 billion that republicans negotiated for nuc modernization so that they would support the treaty, until they changed their minds.

12/2/2010 6:25:46 PM

It looks like the Bush tax cuts for the wealthy are going to get fully extended for 2 years. Maybe they'll let the vote on the Defense Authorization Bill and the New START treaty happen now.

12/6/2010 9:08:15 PM

nah i'm sure they'll do their best to obstruct progress there as well

12/9/2010 4:19:53 PM

^^actually the dems stopped that.

12/9/2010 4:51:58 PM

Quote :

"– Sen. Charles Grassley (R-IA) said on Fox News’ “Happening Now” this morning that he would vote against the omnibus bill. He requested 291 earmarks totaling over $770.5 million, and succeeded in getting 86 earmarks into the omnibus. – Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) is opposing the omnibus because it’s “full of unnecessary spending which grows the federal government.” He requested 116 earmarks costing $326.8 million, and the omnibus contains one of these for $379,000. – Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison’s (R-TX) office said she will vote against the omnibus, which she tried to insert 119 earmarks into, at a cost of $770.9 million. She has $140 million earmarked in the bill. – Sen. Saxby Chambliss (R-GA) will also oppose the omnibus, because it “simply spends too much.” Chambliss requested 122 earmarks totaling $492 million. He achieved $56 million in earmarks in the omnibus. – Sen. Richard Burr (R-NC) blasted the “massive, 2,000 page spending bill” in a statement. Burr tried for 82 earmarks, totaling $287.1 million, and received most of them. – Sen. John Ensign (R-NV) “has been railing against the spending in that massive bill that could come to a vote before the lame duck session.” He requested 32 earmarks this year, totaling $115.8 million, and got nearly all of them — almost $100 million — into the omnibus. – Rep. Denny Rehberg (R-MT) tweeted today that “Defending the #earmark establishment is not leadership. Defending business-as-usual in Washington isn’t either. Leaders lead by example.” Rehberg is a proud member of the “earmark establishment” — last year he was the fifth-largest earmarker in the House, with 89 earmarks in the 2010 omnibus totaling $103.5 million. – Rep. Chris Lee (R-NY) said on Fox Business Channel this morning that “It’s a week before Christmas, and unfortunately my Democratic colleagues like to play Santa Claus to the tune of $8 billion in new earmarks.” Lee was in a much more festive mood last year, with 36 earmarks totaling over $33.3 million in the 2010 omnibus. – Rep. Joe Wilson (R-SC) tweeted today that “A HUGE spending bill is making its way through Congress. $1.1 trillion and 6,000 earmarks. We must stop it. I encourage the President to veto.” Last year, however, Wilson got 15 earmarks costing over $23.3 million in the 2010 omnibus."

http://thinkprogress.org/2010/12/16/gop-earmark-hypocrisy/

12/16/2010 9:02:44 PM

Good job blocking another big liberal bill last night, gaining some credibility at least

12/17/2010 12:57:00 PM

Eric Cantor and Orly Taitz.

lol

12/28/2010 1:58:53 PM

-shrug- nothing to see here

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/virginiapolitics/2010/12/is_eric_cantor_friends_with_bi.html

12/28/2010 2:27:48 PM

Delegate proposes Va. mint its own money

Quote :

"The Commonwealth of Virginia would begin minting its own gold and silver coins as an alternative currency to the U.S. dollar under a bill that Virginia Del. Bob Marshall (R-Prince William) says he will file in coming days. Marshall will ask the General Assembly to consider the idea when it convenes for its annual legislative session Jan. 12. It is a companion bill to a proposal he has already filed to establish a study committee to examine alternative currencies to that distributed by the Federal Reserve System "in the event of a major breakdown of the Federal Reserve System.""

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/virginiapolitics/2011/01/delegate_proposes_virginia_min.html?wprss=virginiapolitics%3f

What a fantastic use of taxpayer money. In no way is this political posturing.

1/5/2011 6:37:22 PM

fucking teabaggers

1/5/2011 6:59:42 PM

I don't see what the problem is. they are allowed to do so, and if they want to "waste their money" by making a currency that actually has a value, then let them

1/6/2011 12:52:14 PM

Quote :

"fucking teabaggers "

You'll love this then:



President's must be born in the US...
"Except for Obama! Except for Obama! Help us Jesus!"

1/6/2011 7:08:09 PM

hahahaah that was freaking awesome, that took some balls.

1/10/2011 5:10:26 AM

http://thinkprogress.org/2011/01/18/pay-to-play-governors/

Quote :

"Two weeks ago, Florida Gov. Rick Scott (R-FL) spent $3 million in funds from Florida’s business interests that have “the most at stake in his administration,” including tobacco, real estate, gambling, and drug companies seeking specific regulatory advantages for their business. Gov. Nikki Haley (R-SC) also received a big inaugural bash courtesy of private donations from Boeing, Duke Energy, and SCANA. Several other Republican governors are following suit. According to local reports, Govs. Rick Perry (TX), John Kasich (OH), Brian Sandoval (NV), Mary Fallin (OK), and Rick Snyder (MI), are the newest state executives to join the pay-to-play club: – Perry: Yesterday, Perry took the oath of office in a $2 million swearing-in society paid for by “oil executives, beer distributors, lobbyists and big-dollar campaign donors – many with interests before the state…In exchange, they are offered various levels of access.” Underwriters of his inauguration activities include “a host of energy interests with a stake in state tax incentives and environmental regulation — including some engaged in ‘fracking’” which “risks air and water pollution.” Exxon, Houston oil investor Jeff Hilderbrand, Chevron, and cigarette maker Altria are other “gold” and “silver” level donors underwriting Perry’s festivities."

http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2011/jan/16/executive-order-gov-haslam-throws-out-income-discl/

Quote :

"Executive order: Gov. Haslam throws out income disclosure rules NASHVILLE — Republican Gov. Bill Haslam has signed an executive order that eliminates a requirement for the governor and top aides to disclose how much they earn."

[Edited on January 19, 2011 at 1:22 AM. Reason : .]

1/19/2011 1:12:47 AM

your first link is nothing new and happens on both sides

The second link is BS imo. It would be worse if he ran on transparency and then did the opposite. Imagine if THAT happened.

1/19/2011 10:00:29 AM

you can't even step back from your partisan views to see anything wrong with the second post? seriously?

1/19/2011 12:07:36 PM

Quote :

"What a fantastic use of taxpayer money. In no way is this political posturing."

Honestly, if you would just get educated about the banking system (specifically, how they're allowed to borrow money from the government for basically free, and then loan it out to regular people [/i]at interest[/i]), you'd understand how unjust the system we live under actually is. The majority of money creation is not being done by the Federal Reserve, it's being done by actual banks that expand the money supply. It's easy to just say, "hey, what other alternative is there?" How about an alternative where the people aren't getting ripped off each and every day? How about an alternative where developing countries aren't milked for all they're worth?

American liberals are lagging behind when it comes to central banking. They keep taking cues from idiots like Krugman, when liberals in other countries have understood the evils of central banking for some time. Time to catch up. Don't be a part of the problem.

1/19/2011 12:24:10 PM

none of that changes it being political posturing

1/19/2011 12:41:02 PM

Quote :

"you can't even step back from your partisan views to see anything wrong with the second post? seriously? "

I guess you missed where I said it was BS.

[Edited on January 19, 2011 at 1:02 PM. Reason : .]

1/19/2011 1:01:51 PM

Quote :

"your first link [ http://thinkprogress.org/2011/01/18/pay-to-play-governors/ ] is nothing new and happens on both sides"

what? that's an unbelievable conflict of interest.

i work in the medical device industry and we'll get all sorts of audits and investigations by the FDA and punitive damages if an engineer accepts a $10 lunch at TGIFridays from a vendor. Physicians cant take even a fucking ball cap or a polo shirt from a pharm rep.

i know you don't really work in the medical profession, but you're telling me you cant see a HUGE ethical conflict of interest where business interests throw $2,000,000 parties for newly elected executives and legislators?

1/19/2011 1:58:30 PM

Quote :

"if they want to "waste their money" by making a currency that actually has a value, then let them"

I live in that state so "their money" is "my money", and no I'd rather not let them.

Quote :

" How about an alternative where the people aren't getting ripped off each and every day?"

And this alternative is a state minting their own money?

Either way, I'll bet you one million Virginia dollars that it never happens and that guy was just being a blowhard.

1/19/2011 2:09:10 PM

Dwight: Very good! You have earned one Schrute Buck.
Stanley: I don't want it.
Dwight: Then you have been deducted 50 Schrute Bucks!
Stanley: Make it 100.
Dwight: We--- Don't you wanna earn Schrute Bucks?
Stanley: No. In fact, I'll give you a billion Stanley Nickels if you never talk to me again.
Dwight: What's the ratio of Stanley Nickels to Schrute Bucks?
Stanley: The same as the ratio of unicorns to leprechauns.

1/19/2011 2:12:08 PM

The new Republican plan to cut the deficit: Hit poverty-stricken Americans where it will hurt the most

haven’t read it yet but it’s here: http://www.salon.com/technology/how_the_world_works/2011/01/20/the_gop_war_against_poor_sick_americans/index.html

1/20/2011 11:53:27 PM

http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2011/01/20/boehner-barring-federal-funds-for-abortion-one-of-gops-highest-priorities/

Quote :

"Boehner: Barring federal funds for abortion one of GOP's 'highest' priorities Washington (CNN) - House Speaker John Boehner announced Thursday that the House of Representatives will consider legislation to permanently bar federal funding for elective abortions, calling the measure "one of our highest legislative priorities." "

Quote :

"The abortion rights group Planned Parenthood released a statement opposing the Smith bill. Cecile Richards, President of Planned Parenthood, said, "Republicans took control of Congress on a promise to create jobs, but instead, one of their first acts is to take away health insurance benefits that the majority of women currently have. The true intent of Congressman Chris Smith's bill is to end insurance coverage for virtually all abortions, including private insurance coverage that Americans pay for with their own money, even in cases involving the most severe dangers to a woman's health.""

The NC GOP and the National GOP are both pushing anti-abortion bills as a part of their early priorities. Didn't stay focused on jobs long.

1/21/2011 9:04:30 AM

face:

Quote :

"hahahaah that was freaking awesome, that took some balls."

Birthers are awesome?

1/25/2011 11:30:14 PM

http://joemygod.blogspot.com/2011/01/iowa-gop-narrowly-loses-senate-bid-to.html

Quote :

"Iowa GOP Narrowly Loses Senate Bid To Vote On Same-Sex Marriage Ban This morning Iowa GOP state Sen. Kent Sorensen called for a suspension of chamber rules in order to force a vote on a constitutional ban on same-sex marriage. His motion was narrowly defeated along party lines."

1/28/2011 12:36:32 AM

^A video to go along with that continuing push for a constitutional amendment:

2/4/2011 7:17:36 PM

http://www.examiner.com/political-buzz-in-national/rush-limbaugh-caller-points-out-reagan-raised-taxes-granted-amnesty-audio

HOW DARE YOU POINT OUT HISTORICAL FACTS, SIR?!?

2/5/2011 10:49:38 AM

^ ha

that was funnier than I expected

2/5/2011 1:10:10 PM

I often wonder why more folks of opposite parties don't try to get through the screeners. Call and say you'd like to make one comment and then as soon as you get to the air make another. I guess it just takes way too much time to sit there on hold to do this.

If Regan Were A Candidate today

http://www.sherffius.com/cartoons.cfm/id/95553

[Edited on February 5, 2011 at 1:52 PM. Reason : z]

2/5/2011 1:27:12 PM

Quote :

"Some Republicans are quietly warning colleagues not to work with vulnerable Democrats in the first place. This comes after Sen. Bob Corker (R-Tenn.) teamed up with McCaskill to back a proposal that would dramatically cut spending over the next decade and Sen. Mike Johanns (R-Neb.) worked with Manchin to repeal a small-business reporting provision in the health care law."

THIS IS WHAT IS WRONG WITH POLITICS

I'm not saying that Dems don't do the same thing, but Jesus! Don't work together on anything because what if it helps them get re-elected. These people fucking suck.

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0211/49031.html#ixzz1DNOe3tbd

2/8/2011 9:18:49 AM

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/02/08/house-rejects-extensions-patriot-act_n_820554.html

Quote :

"These members of the House of Representa­tives, all Republican­s, defied their party leadership to vote NO, AGAINST H.R. 514, the bill to reauthoriz­e crucial provisions of the Patriot Act: Justin Amash of Michigan Roscoe Bartlett of Maryland Rob Bishop of Utah Paul Broun of Georgia John Campbell of California John Duncan of Tennessee Mike Fitzpatric­k of Pennsylvan­ia Chris Gibson of New York Tom Graves of Georgia Dean Heller of Nevada Randy Hultgren of Illinois Timothy Johnson of Illinois Walter Jones of North Carolina Jack Kingston of Georgia Raul Labrador of Idaho Connie Mack of Florida Kenny Marchant of Texas Tom McClintock of California Ron Paul of Texas Denny Rehberg of Montana Phil Roe of Tennessee Dana Rohrabache­r of California Bobby Schilling of Illinois David Schweikert of Arizona Rob Woodall of Georgia Don Young of Alaska Source: Roll Call for H.R. 514 "

2/9/2011 8:58:42 AM

Quote :

"http://voices.washingtonpost.com/virginiapolitics/2010/12/is_eric_cantor_friends_with_bi.html"

Man, what a let down after reading that URL.

2/9/2011 9:13:40 AM

http://ht.ly/3TqiS

2/9/2011 3:40:18 PM

^^^Justin Amash says some good stuff, I like that guy. Good to see there are more than a handful of Republicans willing to give the GOP (oops...the Obama admin wants the PATRIOT act extended also) establishment the middle finger.

[Edited on February 9, 2011 at 4:27 PM. Reason : ]

2/9/2011 4:02:43 PM

Quote :

"i work in the medical device industry and we'll get all sorts of audits and investigations by the FDA and punitive damages if an engineer accepts a $10 lunch at TGIFridays from a vendor. Physicians cant take even a fucking ball cap or a polo shirt from a pharm rep. "

lol. thats what they tell you in that training vid but healthcare is probably more corrupt than the military industrial complex.

2/9/2011 4:38:55 PM

executive corruption, perhaps. engineers can't get a free chili dog.

2/9/2011 5:37:21 PM

^^^^resigned!

2/9/2011 7:03:42 PM