There's something I'm not understanding about US politics here. Why is the law-drafting activity not coordinated along party lines (smoke filled rooms, and that)?
We have no party discipline. I'm not quite sure why it's so much more possible to keep the rank and file in line in a parliamentary system, but it clearly is. So everyone puts forth their own little bill, and the ones that garner enough support survive.
Before we defund the war, I'd like to see the AUMF revoked or substantially "clarified."
I'm holding out for the bill that defunds the cleaning of the White House bathrooms.
I wouldn't say it's a bad thing. The only downside I can see - highlighted by a situation such as this - is that it looks petty.
Perhaps there could be a convention whereby certain customs and procedures are suspended pending the return of the troops? Not habeas corpus.
This dude at Henley's place thinks a plethora of proposals is a good thing, because it "leaves open lots of possibilities for a super-majority to coalesce."
I've never liked that sideways dog. It's the eyes: they spook me out. But not a bad blog, though.
I would have thought that the thing to do with Congressional legislation would be to build support for something that looks utterly respectable and serious, but has teeth, and then negotiate for a change in policy with that as the stick. The 'surge' is really just a superannuation of the present (failing) policy. What's wanted is a new approach. I thought the likes of Robert Gates might deliver that, but maybe the 'adult supervision' snark stuffed things up.
I especially like the non-binding parts or (LOL) a different proposal telling the Commander-in-Chief he cannot invade Iran!
I agree with #3. The Democrats' first priority should be to unsuspend the Constitution. (I'd be interested to see the signing statement that one would provoke.)
He'd veto it, and then congress could say, "Hey, the Constitution's suspended -- so vetoes don't work!" And he'd be so confused that he'd just go along with it. Then Alberto Gonzalez would spontaneously die, and his corpse would fall off a balcony and crush John Yoo to death.
I've never liked that sideways dog. It's the eyes: they spook me out.
No harshing on the Unqualified Dog. Dog Breath is roughly that type, only spottier, and you get used to the vaguely psychotic stare after a couple of years.
And Adam would get a shabby pony, which he would ride to green glades where he could read his Origen in peace.
Sausagely seems pretty disappointed today with Chairpersons Dingell & Lantos. And Greenwald liveblogged the brutal Abu Gonzalez interrogation with little enthusiasm. There are maybe 5 Senators I have any affection for, and I don't completely trust those. What happened to the Finegold censure motion? Or Reid's showdown on intelligence?
Sheeet. I really really didn't want to relive the 60s as farce. But this time it will be different, without the tie-dye and bell-bottoms.
I am in my snarling beast mode, and better absent myself. Lousy weather in Dallas and the dogs are turning on me. High-collared shirts and long sleeves are necessary. I leave you with Lincoln's attack on Polk, for a hint of what is possible, or was possible. I found it comforting.
So many useful quotes could be taken from that.
"...that he is deeply conscious of being in the wrong that he feels the blood of this war, like the blood of Abel, is crying to Heaven against him. That originally having some strong motive--what, I will not stop now to give my opinion concerning--to involve the two countries in a war, and trusting to escape scrutiny, by fixing the public gaze upon the exceeding brightness of military glory--that attractive rainbow, that rises in showers of blood--that serpent's eye, that charms to destroy he plunged into it, and has swept, on and on, till, disappointed in his calculation of the ease with which Mexico might be subdued, he now finds himself, he knows not where. How like the half insane mumbling of a fever-dream, is the whole war part of his late message!" ...Abe
When Congressional Democrats start talking like this, "blood of Abel" "insane mumbling of a fever dream" I will maybe have some hope.
speaking of insane mumbling of a fever dream, I am very irritated to report that I had a dream about paris hilton. she was fooling around with this guy and wouldn't open the door to the room we wanted to get into (it had an awesome black lava stone fireplace in it), and we were all standing outside the one glass wall feeling more and more annoyed. 'open the goddamn door, hilton' we complained, but she was obliviously chatting on her cellphone and giving this guy a foot massage. to make it worse I had left my bearskin rug in there and I was sure they would have sex on it and I would be grossed out. she's so famous for doing nothing that she's in my dreams? way more annoying than the time I (along with everyone else in the country) dreamed about having sex with bill clinton.
back on topic: peace now. and charlie, go LOL somewhere else. or get super-nuts, like start freaking out about illegal immigration. I want hard-core freep action, man; this vanilla bullshit about the commander-in-chief is boring me.
Maybe someone else can provide "hard-core freep action" because I promised Liz I was an honest conservative.
way more annoying than the time I (along with everyone else in the country) dreamed about having sex with bill clinton.
Don't tease. What's he like in the sack?
I never dreamed about having sex with Clinton, but I did once dream that I took a pint of Ben & Jerry's to Monica Lewinsky, who had locked herself in her apartment, afraid of life.