How About Iraq? A Little Oil?
We spent (and are spending) how much on Iraq? (Not counting lives, of course, just dollars!)
Wouldn’t you think they’d offer a couple million barrels of oil for free?
Saturday, September 03, 2005
Thursday, September 01, 2005
Tunnel Cloud
Tunnel Cloud
She picked me up so I could go along with her to Lowe’s and get a Mister Landscaper 50 Ft. Micro Sprinkler Starter Kit. As we crossed El Camino, she mentioned she’s just heard about the tunnel cloud in Galveston. I already knew what she meant (she is my soul mate after all), but I teased her anyhow. “What kind of cloud?” I inquired.
“A “tunnel” cloud,” she replied. Accentuating the “t,” I kept on, “Tunnel cloud?” She said yes and it was just off-shore in the gulf. “Don’t you mean a funnel cloud, with an “F”? I said. “I wondered what they meant,” she laughed.
It’s never dull….
She picked me up so I could go along with her to Lowe’s and get a Mister Landscaper 50 Ft. Micro Sprinkler Starter Kit. As we crossed El Camino, she mentioned she’s just heard about the tunnel cloud in Galveston. I already knew what she meant (she is my soul mate after all), but I teased her anyhow. “What kind of cloud?” I inquired.
“A “tunnel” cloud,” she replied. Accentuating the “t,” I kept on, “Tunnel cloud?” She said yes and it was just off-shore in the gulf. “Don’t you mean a funnel cloud, with an “F”? I said. “I wondered what they meant,” she laughed.
It’s never dull….
Wednesday, August 31, 2005
I Should Ask You For Your Autograph…….But I Don’t Know Who You Are!
I Should Ask You For Your Autograph…….But I Don’t Know Who You Are!
Lynne returned home on Monday. While waiting to board Flight CO0783 in Boston, she noticed a gentleman seated in a wheelchair beside the gate entrance. As she walked past when her row was called, she overheard an attendant telling him that they would board him last. His left leg was in a cast and would extend into the aisle when he was seated on the plane.
She sat by the window in seat 3F, he by the isle in 3E. She got the last chicken salad lunch; he was relegated to roast beef. He didn’t seem too happy about it either. “Just as well,” Lynne thought, “Maybe I can get some sleep!” My wife is like a magnet – people seem drawn to her – and once there they talk. And they talk. Lynne knows nothing about causing a conversation to end. It’s always the other person’s responsibility to end it. On the phone, every single other person has no trouble mouthing, “Well, I have to go now, we’ll talk later…goodbye!” Lynne can’t do that – she feels guilty; she just can’t cut-off the other person.
So, she usually becomes a “captive ear” on flights. But this time, it seemed as though her seatmate was too busy with his papers, and writing his reports. He was doing a lot of writing and Lynne was noticing his handwriting and how distinguished, yet beautiful it was. She could just about make out the words across the top of one page, “Advanced sc…t..n..g .of Pitcher’s Weakn.sse.” or something.
He got up to stretch his leg and engaged the flight attendants in conversation. Lynne casually looked a bit more closely at the papers left on his seat reading, “Advanced Scouting of Pitcher’s Weaknesses.” She thought “baseball”, but who was this guy? Since she’d helped the man put his briefcase under the seat in front of him, she felt it would be all right if she looked a bit more closely at its name tag. “Deacon Jones” was the name she read. “Deacon Jones……Deacon Jones…” – a dull light was coming on in the back of her brain. “Deacon Jones…….”
Grover “Deacon” Jones returned to his seat. As he picked up his papers and prepared to continue his work, Lynne said to him, “I know I should be asking for your autograph, but I don’t know who you are!”
In 1956, Grover “Deacon” Jones, playing for the MidWest League’s Dubuque Packers, he was not only the year’s MLP, but hit .409, had 26 HRs, and 120 RBIs.
He laughed and ice was broken. He talked, she listened. He showed her his reports for Red Sox pitchers and explained the what’s and why’s of his work. Four hours later beside baggage carousel #7, I shook hands with Grover “Deacon” Jones. He said to me, “You have some kind of woman here!” I agreed and thanked him for taking care of my better half during the flight.
Lynne returned home on Monday. While waiting to board Flight CO0783 in Boston, she noticed a gentleman seated in a wheelchair beside the gate entrance. As she walked past when her row was called, she overheard an attendant telling him that they would board him last. His left leg was in a cast and would extend into the aisle when he was seated on the plane.
She sat by the window in seat 3F, he by the isle in 3E. She got the last chicken salad lunch; he was relegated to roast beef. He didn’t seem too happy about it either. “Just as well,” Lynne thought, “Maybe I can get some sleep!” My wife is like a magnet – people seem drawn to her – and once there they talk. And they talk. Lynne knows nothing about causing a conversation to end. It’s always the other person’s responsibility to end it. On the phone, every single other person has no trouble mouthing, “Well, I have to go now, we’ll talk later…goodbye!” Lynne can’t do that – she feels guilty; she just can’t cut-off the other person.
So, she usually becomes a “captive ear” on flights. But this time, it seemed as though her seatmate was too busy with his papers, and writing his reports. He was doing a lot of writing and Lynne was noticing his handwriting and how distinguished, yet beautiful it was. She could just about make out the words across the top of one page, “Advanced sc…t..n..g .of Pitcher’s Weakn.sse.” or something.
He got up to stretch his leg and engaged the flight attendants in conversation. Lynne casually looked a bit more closely at the papers left on his seat reading, “Advanced Scouting of Pitcher’s Weaknesses.” She thought “baseball”, but who was this guy? Since she’d helped the man put his briefcase under the seat in front of him, she felt it would be all right if she looked a bit more closely at its name tag. “Deacon Jones” was the name she read. “Deacon Jones……Deacon Jones…” – a dull light was coming on in the back of her brain. “Deacon Jones…….”
Grover “Deacon” Jones returned to his seat. As he picked up his papers and prepared to continue his work, Lynne said to him, “I know I should be asking for your autograph, but I don’t know who you are!”
In 1956, Grover “Deacon” Jones, playing for the MidWest League’s Dubuque Packers, he was not only the year’s MLP, but hit .409, had 26 HRs, and 120 RBIs.
He laughed and ice was broken. He talked, she listened. He showed her his reports for Red Sox pitchers and explained the what’s and why’s of his work. Four hours later beside baggage carousel #7, I shook hands with Grover “Deacon” Jones. He said to me, “You have some kind of woman here!” I agreed and thanked him for taking care of my better half during the flight.
Thursday, August 25, 2005
Leak Draft of Bush Answer to Cindy
Leak: Draft of Bush Answer to Cindy Sheehanby Scott Ott
(2005-08-24) -- An internal White House memo, leaked today, indicates how President George Bush initially planned to address Cindy Sheehan's question: What "noble cause" did my son die for?
The draft memo includes suggestions from White House communications staff, followed by several paragraphs apparently handwritten by the president.
While handwriting experts from CBS News continue to pore over the document to verify its authenticity, here is the text of the president's alleged response to the grieving Mom whose protest has captured the hearts of America's journalists.
Dear Mrs. Sheehan,
You have asked me to identify the noble cause for which your son died. I have not answered you personally out of respect for the nobility of your son's sacrifice.
Being president forces me into the spotlight, but I would rather stand in the shadows of men like Casey Sheehan.
Directing national attention on my response to your protest creates a distraction from what matters. The focus of our attention, and our admiration, should rest on people like Casey Sheehan, who stand in the breach when evil threatens to break out and consume a helpless people.
The running story on the news networks should be the valiant efforts of our troops -- the merchants of mercy who export freedom and import honor. They trade their own lives for the sake of others.
As a result, we live in a nation where a woman can camp outside of the president's house and verbally attack the president for weeks on end without fear of prison, torture or death. And the number of nations where such protest is possible has multiplied thanks to the work of our military.
You ask for what noble cause your son died?
In a sense he died so that people like you, who passionately oppose government policies, can freely express that opposition. As you camp in Crawford, you should take off your shoes, for you stand on holy ground. This land was bought with the blood of men like your son.
Now, 25 million Iraqis cry out to enjoy the life you take for granted. Most of them will never use their freedom to denigrate the sacrifice of those who paid for it. But once liberty is enshrined in law, they will be free to do so. And when the Iraqis finally escape their incarceration, hope will spread throughout that enslaved region of the world, eventually making us all safer and more free.
The key is in the lock of the prison door. Bold men risk everything to turn it.
Mrs. Sheehan, everyone dies. But few experience the bittersweet glory of death with a purpose -- death that sets people free and produces ripples of liberty hundreds of years into the future.
Casey Sheehan died that freedom might triumph over bondage, hope over despair, prosperity over misery. He died restoring justice and mercy. He lived and died to help to destroy the last stubborn vestiges of the Dark Ages.
To paraphrase President Lincoln, the world will little note nor long remember what you and I say here. But it can never forget what Casey Sheehan did during his brief turn on earth. If we are wise, we will take increased devotion to that cause for which he gave the last full measure of devotion.
Our brave warriors have blazed a trail. They have entrusted the completion of the task to those of us they left behind. Let's, you and I, resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain.
Let's finish the work that they have thus far so nobly advanced.
Sincerely,George W. Bush
(2005-08-24) -- An internal White House memo, leaked today, indicates how President George Bush initially planned to address Cindy Sheehan's question: What "noble cause" did my son die for?
The draft memo includes suggestions from White House communications staff, followed by several paragraphs apparently handwritten by the president.
While handwriting experts from CBS News continue to pore over the document to verify its authenticity, here is the text of the president's alleged response to the grieving Mom whose protest has captured the hearts of America's journalists.
Dear Mrs. Sheehan,
You have asked me to identify the noble cause for which your son died. I have not answered you personally out of respect for the nobility of your son's sacrifice.
Being president forces me into the spotlight, but I would rather stand in the shadows of men like Casey Sheehan.
Directing national attention on my response to your protest creates a distraction from what matters. The focus of our attention, and our admiration, should rest on people like Casey Sheehan, who stand in the breach when evil threatens to break out and consume a helpless people.
The running story on the news networks should be the valiant efforts of our troops -- the merchants of mercy who export freedom and import honor. They trade their own lives for the sake of others.
As a result, we live in a nation where a woman can camp outside of the president's house and verbally attack the president for weeks on end without fear of prison, torture or death. And the number of nations where such protest is possible has multiplied thanks to the work of our military.
You ask for what noble cause your son died?
In a sense he died so that people like you, who passionately oppose government policies, can freely express that opposition. As you camp in Crawford, you should take off your shoes, for you stand on holy ground. This land was bought with the blood of men like your son.
Now, 25 million Iraqis cry out to enjoy the life you take for granted. Most of them will never use their freedom to denigrate the sacrifice of those who paid for it. But once liberty is enshrined in law, they will be free to do so. And when the Iraqis finally escape their incarceration, hope will spread throughout that enslaved region of the world, eventually making us all safer and more free.
The key is in the lock of the prison door. Bold men risk everything to turn it.
Mrs. Sheehan, everyone dies. But few experience the bittersweet glory of death with a purpose -- death that sets people free and produces ripples of liberty hundreds of years into the future.
Casey Sheehan died that freedom might triumph over bondage, hope over despair, prosperity over misery. He died restoring justice and mercy. He lived and died to help to destroy the last stubborn vestiges of the Dark Ages.
To paraphrase President Lincoln, the world will little note nor long remember what you and I say here. But it can never forget what Casey Sheehan did during his brief turn on earth. If we are wise, we will take increased devotion to that cause for which he gave the last full measure of devotion.
Our brave warriors have blazed a trail. They have entrusted the completion of the task to those of us they left behind. Let's, you and I, resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain.
Let's finish the work that they have thus far so nobly advanced.
Sincerely,George W. Bush
Tuesday, August 23, 2005
This Is Cool!
Spc. Jennifer Fitts explains why she is a soldier and remains in the army.
Over the years, I’ve tried putting it in plain words, with various degrees of success.I’m a patriot, yes, but it’s more than a deep and abiding love of my country and a need to give back to her somehow that keeps me in the Army.It’s not the pay; although for the first time in my adult life I am totally out of debt and living more than just barely above the poverty level.It’s not the education benefits, since I earned them after my first enlistment. The GI Bill is a lovely thing, but it’s not why I stay.It’s not the medical care necessarily, since as a National Guard member, I don’t get many medical bennies when I’m not activated.It’s the people – the Soldiers. The good, the bad and the indifferent.It’s that human factor that reaches out, across backgrounds and educations and lives, and binds us together.No matter how fragile those bonds seem, they’re still there and they’re everlasting.
Over the years, I’ve tried putting it in plain words, with various degrees of success.I’m a patriot, yes, but it’s more than a deep and abiding love of my country and a need to give back to her somehow that keeps me in the Army.It’s not the pay; although for the first time in my adult life I am totally out of debt and living more than just barely above the poverty level.It’s not the education benefits, since I earned them after my first enlistment. The GI Bill is a lovely thing, but it’s not why I stay.It’s not the medical care necessarily, since as a National Guard member, I don’t get many medical bennies when I’m not activated.It’s the people – the Soldiers. The good, the bad and the indifferent.It’s that human factor that reaches out, across backgrounds and educations and lives, and binds us together.No matter how fragile those bonds seem, they’re still there and they’re everlasting.
Another Good-News Blackout
RALPH PETERS ON IRAQ COVERAGE:
What should have made headlines? It would've been nice to see more attention devoted to the complexity and importance of drafting a new constitution for Iraq. But my nomination for the "Greatest Story Never Told" is a quieter one: Locked in a difficult war, the U.S. Army is exceeding its re-enlistment and first-time enlistment goals. Has anybody mentioned that to you?
Remember last spring, when the Army's recruitment efforts fell short for a few months? The media's glee would have made you confuse the New York Times and Air America.
When the Army attempted to explain that enlistments are cyclical and numbers dip at certain times of the year, the media ignored it. All that mattered was the wonderful news that the Army couldn't find enough soldiers. We were warned, in oh-so-solemn tones, that our military was headed for a train wreck.
Now, as the fiscal year nears an end, the Army's numbers look great. Especially in combat units and Iraq, soldiers are re-enlisting at record levels. And you don't hear a whisper about it from the "mainstream media."
What should have made headlines? It would've been nice to see more attention devoted to the complexity and importance of drafting a new constitution for Iraq. But my nomination for the "Greatest Story Never Told" is a quieter one: Locked in a difficult war, the U.S. Army is exceeding its re-enlistment and first-time enlistment goals. Has anybody mentioned that to you?
Remember last spring, when the Army's recruitment efforts fell short for a few months? The media's glee would have made you confuse the New York Times and Air America.
When the Army attempted to explain that enlistments are cyclical and numbers dip at certain times of the year, the media ignored it. All that mattered was the wonderful news that the Army couldn't find enough soldiers. We were warned, in oh-so-solemn tones, that our military was headed for a train wreck.
Now, as the fiscal year nears an end, the Army's numbers look great. Especially in combat units and Iraq, soldiers are re-enlisting at record levels. And you don't hear a whisper about it from the "mainstream media."
Thursday, July 07, 2005
"... speaking on condition of anonymity"
Hey Fox!
I thought you'all were going to stop quoting folks who speak only "on condition of anonymity" ?
And what does the 2nd paragraph mean? Was that really worth printing?
I'm believing you're "Fair and Balanced" - don't backslide into the MSM methods for sensationalism!
PajamaGuy - Houston--------------------------------------------------
U.S. officials were trying to determine, meanwhile, whether an Al Qaeda (search) cell's claim of responsibility for the attacks was credible. A U.S. official speaking on condition of anonymity because the situation was still unfolding said analysts were sifting through recent intelligence for any evidence of follow-up attacks here or abroad.
A senior U.S. counterterrorism official, speaking on condition of anonymity said that because the attacks were well-coordinated and appeared fairly sophisticated, they were consistent with Al Qaeda's methodology.
(duh? Is this a waste of ink?)
I thought you'all were going to stop quoting folks who speak only "on condition of anonymity" ?
And what does the 2nd paragraph mean? Was that really worth printing?
I'm believing you're "Fair and Balanced" - don't backslide into the MSM methods for sensationalism!
PajamaGuy - Houston--------------------------------------------------
U.S. officials were trying to determine, meanwhile, whether an Al Qaeda (search) cell's claim of responsibility for the attacks was credible. A U.S. official speaking on condition of anonymity because the situation was still unfolding said analysts were sifting through recent intelligence for any evidence of follow-up attacks here or abroad.
A senior U.S. counterterrorism official, speaking on condition of anonymity said that because the attacks were well-coordinated and appeared fairly sophisticated, they were consistent with Al Qaeda's methodology.
(duh? Is this a waste of ink?)
Thursday, June 23, 2005
Fantabulistic?
I'm on CO 282 headed for Boston. We're 30 min late leaving the gate because of some problem in the cargo hold. The issue is resolved, but we have to wait for the paperwork to clear. (Shouldn't that be electronic?)
anyhow, a salesman is shot-gunning cell calls and I've heard a new 70's style word - "Fantabulistic."The guy's not old enough to have a vocabulary from 35 years ago. He might be 40-45.
This flight is packed- let's get rolling!
Saturday, June 18, 2005
The "Vomit Comet"
This KC-135 is on display at Ellingtion Field in Houston, Tx. It was, and it's sisters are used to simulate zero-gravity. Click on the image below to read about it.
Cape Cod, Texas
If PajamaGal could be anywhere, she would be at Cape Cod. When she can’t be there, the Kemah Boardwalk in Texas serves as a adequate substitute. During one of our visits, I saw this fishing boat returning and thought the swarming gulls created a nice shot.
Swing Junction Find
It's 93° in the shade and PajamaGal is tramping through the brush. The walking stick moves branches, clears cobwebs (there are plenty), and is protection from snakes!
...and there it is!
Sunday, May 29, 2005
The Naked Rib Smokehouse - Manvel, TX
Bobby Flay promoted Thelma's in downtown Houston on a recent FoodTv broadcast. Reading the customer reviews at B4-U-EAT.COM revealed that unless you want to wait at least 30 minutes for your meal and have it served by "persons with attitude," don't go to Thelma's. One review emphatically suggested The Naked Rib in Manvel for not only great BBQ, but also polite service.
PajamaGal & I were GeoCaching (unsuccessfully) when lunchtime came so I punched "The Naked Rib" into the GPS and 20 miles (and a lot of cross-lots turns) later, we arrived.
One of the Mary's (not Hart) was behind the counter and most helpfully explained the choices. I had the 2-meat platter (sausage & brisket), while PajamaGal opted for ½ pound of pork ribs and a side of coleslaw. Two sides came with the platter so I chose the slaw and the pinto beans. Adding a lite beer, a diet coke, and two bucks tip totally ruined a $20 bill. From the time we pulled into the parking lot to the first bite took all of 12 minutes.
It was all great! Mary came over to our table 5 minutes after we sat down and advised me not to eat the beans - she'd tasted them and found them a bit too salty and had a fresh batch heating up which were delivered them a few minutes later.
Yes we'll go back; yes we'll recommend it. And on the 1st Saturday of each month, they host a car show and have a live band (6:00 pm).
Sunday, May 22, 2005
Mud Volleyball
"The court shall consist of a net and genuine Pasadena mud, 60’ x 30’."
It was 94° - and PajamaGal begged me to let her play. I would have, but this wasn't open-play, these teams had spent $145 each to enter - this was a real competition!
Strawberry Shortcake .......... NOT!
.I should have taken a picture but my $2.00 purchase hit the garbage can faster than I could say "Click!"
Right inside the Crafts building they were selling samples of Strawberry Shortcake for 2 bucks each. Looking through the clear plastic snap-top tubs, I thought the color of the strawberry topping was just a tad too pink - not the deep red of a ripe strawberry. I bought it anyway - I mean this WAS the official 32nd Annual Pasadena Strawberry Festival!
Once we got the temperature inside the car below 100° (it was 94° on the midway), PajamaGal couldn't wait any longer. We're doing the South Beach/Atkins thing and don't eat any cake, cookies, etc.
She almost threw-up. It was the candy-like goo that could be classified only as something for the under-10 age group. And it wasn't shortcake - it was store-bought pound cake. YUK!
Friday, May 20, 2005
Poor Saddam
If the American military is found to have any part in the Sun obtaining and printing the Saddam pictures, the MSM will be all over it! MSM is going to be outraged more to a few snapshots of poor Saddam in his Jockey shorts than they were to the videos he made of his friends raping, torturing, and murdering innocent civilians.
And that’s a sad thing.
And that’s a sad thing.
Filibuster – or – “It’s my baseball and I’m taking it home!”
The word "filibuster" comes from the Dutch word meaning "pirate.” Members of the U.S. Senate have pirated debate for as long as the institution has existed. Initially, House members were permitted to filibuster as well, but their growing numbers soon made the practice inadvisable. In 1872, Vice President Schuyler Colfax struck a blow against the expeditious handling of Senate business with his ruling that “under the practice of the Senate the presiding officer could not restrain a Senator in remarks which the Senator considers pertinent to the pending issue.”
In the Senate, unlimited debate was permitted until 1917, when President Woodrow Wilson suggested the Senate adopt a new rule: a two-thirds vote (67 members) would close down ("cloture") a filibuster. In 1975, the required vote count was reduced to three-fifths (or 60 members).
Republicans also have threatened to request a ruling by the Senate parliamentarian that Senate rules make filibusters on judicial nominations illegal. A parliamentarian's ruling can be upheld by a simple majority of senators.
Their reasoning will be that the federal constitution requires that the president makes such nominations "by and with the Advice and Consent of the Senate" and that that means an up or down majority vote by the full senate.
That plan is referred to by both parties as a "nuclear option.” Democrats say it would blow up the Senate's collegiality and force them to bring all action to a halt. They also say that reasoning is bullshit and no one believes it, including Vice President Cheney.
“Collegiality” - A term used to represent a situation in which colleagues share equally in power and authority. Colleagues are those explicitly united in a common purpose and respecting each other's abilities to work toward that purpose. Thus, the word collegiality can connote respect for another's commitment to the common purpose and ability to work toward it.
O.k., the filibuster was started so that each colleague would have his chance to voice his thoughts, pertinent to the pending issue. Both sides are guilty of not following the intent of the action. But will anyone deny that stalling an action indefinitely by talking about any subject ad infinitum was not the intent Vice President Colfax had in 1872. (During the 1930s, Senator Huey P. Long effectively used the filibuster against bills that he thought favored the rich over the poor. The Louisiana senator frustrated his colleagues while entertaining spectators with his recitations of Shakespeare and his reading of recipes for "pot-likkers.")
All senators have an equal vote when there’s a floor vote and the majority tally of the votes cast decides the issue. There are exactly 100 senators for a reason. In the Senate, each state gets equal representation. The system was designed to reflect the will of the majority of the senators; not the states, not the population, and not the political parties. MAJORITY – one more than 50% of the votes cast. And it was intended there be 3 “classes,” one-third of the population to be elected to 6-year terms every 2 years.
Although I’d employ every legal means available to me to win my point, I’d just not feel right about reading Shakespeare for hours on end so I could prevent 99 other colleagues from doing their job. Their job is to decide issues by voting isn’t it? So, I really wouldn’t feel too bad if there was a time limit placed upon my orations, or if 1-more-than-50% of my colleagues in attendance told me to sit down and shut up after I’d been given a reasonable amount of time to say my piece.
The guys who wrote our Constitution were a pretty smart group; we haven’t had to make too many changes. I accept that the rules say our President appoints folks to different jobs and the Senate is supposed to agree or disagree. They’re not supposed to hide behind a rule that was created for an altogether different, and legitimate purpose and using it as a loophole, refuse to do their jobs. And I really bristle when the minority throws a tantrum and threatens to “bring all action to a halt” if they don’t get their way. Kind of like the brat who takes home the only baseball because his team is losing.
In the Senate, unlimited debate was permitted until 1917, when President Woodrow Wilson suggested the Senate adopt a new rule: a two-thirds vote (67 members) would close down ("cloture") a filibuster. In 1975, the required vote count was reduced to three-fifths (or 60 members).
Republicans also have threatened to request a ruling by the Senate parliamentarian that Senate rules make filibusters on judicial nominations illegal. A parliamentarian's ruling can be upheld by a simple majority of senators.
Their reasoning will be that the federal constitution requires that the president makes such nominations "by and with the Advice and Consent of the Senate" and that that means an up or down majority vote by the full senate.
That plan is referred to by both parties as a "nuclear option.” Democrats say it would blow up the Senate's collegiality and force them to bring all action to a halt. They also say that reasoning is bullshit and no one believes it, including Vice President Cheney.
“Collegiality” - A term used to represent a situation in which colleagues share equally in power and authority. Colleagues are those explicitly united in a common purpose and respecting each other's abilities to work toward that purpose. Thus, the word collegiality can connote respect for another's commitment to the common purpose and ability to work toward it.
O.k., the filibuster was started so that each colleague would have his chance to voice his thoughts, pertinent to the pending issue. Both sides are guilty of not following the intent of the action. But will anyone deny that stalling an action indefinitely by talking about any subject ad infinitum was not the intent Vice President Colfax had in 1872. (During the 1930s, Senator Huey P. Long effectively used the filibuster against bills that he thought favored the rich over the poor. The Louisiana senator frustrated his colleagues while entertaining spectators with his recitations of Shakespeare and his reading of recipes for "pot-likkers.")
All senators have an equal vote when there’s a floor vote and the majority tally of the votes cast decides the issue. There are exactly 100 senators for a reason. In the Senate, each state gets equal representation. The system was designed to reflect the will of the majority of the senators; not the states, not the population, and not the political parties. MAJORITY – one more than 50% of the votes cast. And it was intended there be 3 “classes,” one-third of the population to be elected to 6-year terms every 2 years.
Although I’d employ every legal means available to me to win my point, I’d just not feel right about reading Shakespeare for hours on end so I could prevent 99 other colleagues from doing their job. Their job is to decide issues by voting isn’t it? So, I really wouldn’t feel too bad if there was a time limit placed upon my orations, or if 1-more-than-50% of my colleagues in attendance told me to sit down and shut up after I’d been given a reasonable amount of time to say my piece.
The guys who wrote our Constitution were a pretty smart group; we haven’t had to make too many changes. I accept that the rules say our President appoints folks to different jobs and the Senate is supposed to agree or disagree. They’re not supposed to hide behind a rule that was created for an altogether different, and legitimate purpose and using it as a loophole, refuse to do their jobs. And I really bristle when the minority throws a tantrum and threatens to “bring all action to a halt” if they don’t get their way. Kind of like the brat who takes home the only baseball because his team is losing.
Thursday, May 19, 2005
The public has a right to know! Sez who?
I have to ask a question ...
Suppose:
- It was/is true, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that some American military personnel did, in fact, flush a copy of the Koran down a toilet.
- and - - It was also known for sure that if that fact was to come out, in a public light, that there would be anti-American rioting and that 16 people would die.
Knowing the above, would Newsweek publish the story? Should they publish? What would the American people say?