ThinkFast: December 8, 2006
ThinkFast: December 8, 2006
Sen. Harry Reid (D-NV) and incoming Speaking Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) have notified their colleagues that they will try to add an anti-pay-raise provision to a must-pass bill that provides funds to keep the government running.
71 percent: Number of Americans who disapprove of President Bush’s handling of the Iraq war, an “alltime high” according to a new AP-Ipsos poll.
As a final act, the Do-Nothing 109th Congress will push for approval of what is likely to be “the last major pro-drilling bill during the Bush presidency — a measure that would open a large swath of the Gulf of Mexico to energy exploration. The drilling provision was part of a $45-billion tax and trade bill that was expected to pass the House today and be sent on to the Senate.”
“The 109th Congress is packing its bags for good and leaving town today without enacting nine of the 11 appropriations bills that pay for the federal government.” “It’s a spectacular disorder of chaos,” said incoming House Appropriations Chair David Obey (D-WI). “We will have to run a cleanup brigade.”
Lawyers representing Donald Rumsfeld “are set to appear in federal court” today “in response to a lawsuit charging that the Defense secretary authorized torture and other illegal abuse of military detainees in Afghanistan and Iraq – including at the infamous Abu Ghraib prison.”
“The annual number of reservists and National Guard members who say they have been reassigned, lost benefits or been fired from civilian jobs after returning from duty has increased by about 30% since 2002.”
For the second year in a row, the Committee to Protect Journalists’s “annual survey found the total number of journalists in jail worldwide has increased.” Nearly one-third of the 134 incarcerated reporters, editors, and photographers “published their work on the Internet.”
“Across the country, half a dozen federal libraries are closed or closing. Others have reduced staffing, hours of operation, public access or subscriptions.” Critics of the closings say they “could lose access to research materials” because the libraries “house collections vital to scientific investigation and the enforcement of environmental laws.”
And finally: Will the gentleman from Tennessee please yield for a bearhug? “Apparently taking the Democrats’ pledge of civility seriously, Sen. Harry M. Reid of Nevada bearhugged a startled Sen. Bill Frist yesterday, as Frist, the outgoing majority leader, bid farewell to his colleagues on the Senate floor. As the two men firmly shook hands, the Democrat unexpectedly reeled Frist in closer. After an awkward two-step, Frist even hugged back a little.” “As man-hugs go, this one was definitely uncomfortable to watch.”
What did we miss? Let us know in the comments section.
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I like the idea of a clean-up brigrade. It may need to be a rather large force as the out going, do-nothing, politics for profit ne’erdowell Republicans have left our legislative institution in shambles. I just hope genuine oversight can be salvaged. -Kevo
December 8th, 2006 at 9:11 am“The 109th Congress is packing its bags for good and leaving town today…”
GET OUT AND STAYYY OUTTT!
December 8th, 2006 at 9:14 amFrom the article about our troops returning to find they had lost their jobs, etc.:
I wonder, did he ask any small business people if the burden imposed by Bush’s War is acceptable?
And how come business owners (who tend to be Republican) aren’t supporting our troops?
December 8th, 2006 at 9:19 amAdios to the 109th cadre of corporate sycophants, pedophile protectors, pork barrel enthusiasts, and environmental anti-stewarts! This “do nothing” Congress will go down in history along with this administration as being the absolute “worst” in the history of this country. Now it’s time to “get to work”!
As for Bush ramming through the “drilling bill”, let the people stylize their own “drilling bill” now and “drill (impeach) this guy right out of office” now.
I’m wondering what he’s taking these days….is it just the booze or booze and meds? Whatever ’tis, it’s a toxic cocktail and beginning to show in his appearance and demeanor.
December 8th, 2006 at 9:21 amSen. Harry Reid (D-NV) and incoming Speaking Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) have notified their colleagues that they will try to add an anti-pay-raise provision to a must-pass bill that provides funds to keep the government running.
from the article:
Under federal law, lawmakers, like many federal employees, receive a cost of living increase on each Jan. 1. The increase for 2007 is pegged at 2 percent, and would put the salary for rank-and-file lawmakers at $168,500.
The 27th Amendment to the US Constitution reads:
No law varying the compensation for the services of the Senators and Representatives shall take effect until an election of Representatives shall have intervened.
Can someone explain to me how an annual pay raise that takes effect before an election of Representatives has intervened be constitutional? I have been asking this question for a while and I haven’t been able to find an answer.
In the meantime, have a good weekend, everyone. I’ll stop by later to see if ThinkProgress or anyone else knows the answer.
December 8th, 2006 at 9:22 amIt will be interesting to see if the Republicans allow it to go through. What was that song, “True Colors?”
Yesterday, Republicans were complaining about going to have to work (gasp) five days a week! Now this: for the same pay!
Longer hours, same (or lower) pay….sound familiar to most of us?
December 8th, 2006 at 9:23 amSigh, Bill O’Reilly’s war is spreading:
December 8th, 2006 at 9:25 amhttp://www.businessweek.com/smallbiz/content/dec2006/sb20061207_345299.htm
Regarding Rumsfeld’s legal problems:
This will be a difficult threshold to meet, as the evidence necessarily will most likely be deemed “classified.” Still, there’s the War Crimes charges pending in Germany…..
December 8th, 2006 at 9:33 am“Across the country, half a dozen federal libraries are closed or closing.
As they say, knowledge is power. So if you are in power why not keep all that knowledge locked up inside four walls with limited access.
December 8th, 2006 at 9:35 amNancy and Harry, don’t forget to flush twice to get rid of the biggest chunks.
Have the place deloused while you are at it.
Oh yeah, you might want to Febreze Dennis Hasterts chair too.
-GSD
December 8th, 2006 at 9:36 amComment by Wayne A. Schneider — December 8, 2006 @ 9:22 am
Wayne, If I’m not mistaken, the law granting the cost of living increases was passed quite some time ago, and there have been intervening elections since then, giving the voters a chance to throw out their representatives who gave themselves a raise.
In the case of what Pelosi and Reid are trying to to, it’s to block a pay raise, which doesn’t run afoul of the 27th Amendment.
Now, if Congress were to give the minimum wage a cost of living increase covering the past 10 years, it would amount to around a 50% increase. Somehow, I don’t think that’s going to happen.
December 8th, 2006 at 9:38 amBnF, You are a lawyer, how about using the law instead of blameing Republicans (remember, Dems voted for it too).
Title 38 U.S.C. Chapter 43, The Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA)
December 8th, 2006 at 9:40 amGSD,
You never fail to start my day out with a good laugh.
December 8th, 2006 at 9:41 am:)
I kin understand how them outgoin’ Republicans feel. Ever rent an apartment from a real bad landlord and you KNOW you ain’t gonna git yer security deposit back no how? Why NOT just fuggin’ TRASH the place, write graffiti on the walls, and leave major legislation unpassed on yer way out?
Demmycrats done stole the gubbermint by legitimate means! Let THEM clean up the mess!
Haw!
December 8th, 2006 at 9:45 amBnF, You are a lawyer, how about using the law instead of blameing Republicans (remember, Dems voted for it too).
Comment by robert
Thin skin in the morning huh? Nowhere did BnF “blame” Repubs for anything. He only gives credit to Dems for what they are doing. If that is putting blame on Repubs then you are in for a rough couple of years.
December 8th, 2006 at 9:48 amdlet, From BnF’s Post(who tend to be Republican)
Looks like blame to me….
December 8th, 2006 at 9:54 amAn AEI fellow has just passed, I’m sorry.
December 8th, 2006 at 9:59 amdlet, From BnF’s Post(who tend to be Republican)
Looks like blame to me….
Comment by robert
Oh, you got me. Damn you BnF for being so biased. How can you post something that is only based on your opinion? Follow the path that Robert follows, cause he never does that.
There. That better?
December 8th, 2006 at 10:00 amIf you give poor working people more money, it will destroy our country. Oh really? It won’t? What’s the hold up?
December 8th, 2006 at 10:00 am“The 109th Congress is packing its bags for good and leaving town today without enacting nine of the 11 appropriations bills that pay for the federal government.†“It’s a spectacular disorder of chaos,†said incoming House Appropriations Chair David Obey (D-WI). “We will have to run a cleanup brigade.â€
May they have stowaways of bedbugs and roaches in thier bags.
December 8th, 2006 at 10:01 amBnF,
Thanks for the response. As you know, I am not a lawyer nor do I play one on TV. I know that the law was passed the first time and elections of Representatives have been intervening since then. If I understand the law correctly, if no one challenges this pay raise in court, no judge is just going to declare it unconstitutional on his or her own.
For me, I guess the main “philosophical” question is, “what does “take effect” mean? Does it mean that it begins, or does it mean that it causes something to happen. In the first case this annual pay raise would be considered constitutional if you interpret “take effect” to mean “to start.” But if you interpret “take effect” to mean “to cause something to happen”, then an annual raise would be iunconstitutional because this law would be “taking effect” without an intervening election.
Did I misinterpret something, or do I really have something to be concerned about here? I respect you and your opinions and with you being the one trained in law and me being the one who grew up watching “Owen Marshall, Attorney at Law” (Arthur Hill, sad loss), your legal opinions carry much more weight than mine.
December 8th, 2006 at 10:01 am“Across the country, half a dozen federal libraries are closed or closing. Others have reduced staffing, hours of operation, public access or subscriptions.†Critics of the closings say they “could lose access to research materials†because the libraries “house collections vital to scientific investigation and the enforcement of environmental laws.â€
Books are for idiots.
December 8th, 2006 at 10:01 amLawyers representing Donald Rumsfeld “are set to appear in federal court†today “in response to a lawsuit charging that the Defense secretary authorized torture and other illegal abuse of military detainees in Afghanistan and Iraq – including at the infamous Abu Ghraib prison.â€
Give to Rummy’s legal defense fund, it counts as a charitable contribution.
December 8th, 2006 at 10:03 am71 percent: Number of Americans who disapprove of President Bush’s handling of the Iraq war, an “alltime high†according to a new AP-Ipsos poll.
It’s an accurate reflection of how people feel. The remaining loyalists are in need of anti-psychotic medication.
December 8th, 2006 at 10:04 am“It’s a spectacular disorder of chaos,†said incoming House Appropriations Chair David Obey (D-WI). “We will have to run a cleanup brigade.â€
Don’t forget to Roto Rooter the place. Reupublican’s ‘Fecal Factor’ can be smelled way out here in the Upper Midwest. While you’re at it, flush out the White House. Shit has been piling up around there for years.
December 8th, 2006 at 10:05 amdlet, OK, OK. I now we all use our bias and opinions here. The point was that there are laws out there to protect service members and they need to take advantage of those laws. Any employer that does not familiarize themselves with those laws and what their obligations are is at fault regardless of their political affiliation. Guess what, I would be willing to bet that there are Dems, Reps, and Indies that have all violated that law and to blame one political affiliation is irresponsible.
December 8th, 2006 at 10:09 am“As man-hugs go, this one was definitely uncomfortable to watch.â€
Brothers don’t shake hands, brothers HUG!!!!!!
December 8th, 2006 at 10:14 amHey fellers and gals! Let’s take a moment away from all this politics stuff and talk movies! They’s a GREAT one opening today, what I saw an advance copy of.
It’s called — REPUBALYPTO!!!
SYNOPSIS: The volcano gods are angry. So a marauding Republican Chieftan — Monkey Face — decides the only thing that will appease the gods is the sacrifice of young men and women between the ages of 18 and 35.
One by one, these young tribe members are first promised a college education, benefits, good chow and world travel. Then they are thrown into the gaping hole atop the volcano. With each living body tossed into the lava, the volcano gets angrier and angrier. Other volcanoes begin to erupt, threatening the peace of the entire region.
A tribe of elders gathers and gives a report to Monkey Face, suggesting that the wholesale sacrifice of young life is doing nothing to quell the anger of the volcano gods. In fact, they suggest, the volcano had been dormant until Monkey Face removed a 15-ton boulder that had capped the surging, violent forces beneath because he believed the boulder to be evil.
Instead of heeding the advice of the elders, Monkey Face thanks them for their service and feeds them, one by one, to the volcano. Urged on by the three members of his tribal council who still support him, Monkey Face continues to feed young people to the volcano, one by one by one, until they are gone.
The movie, oddly enough, doesn’t have an ending.
December 8th, 2006 at 10:14 amFor the second year in a row, the Committee to Protect Journalists’s “annual survey found the total number of journalists in jail worldwide has increased.†Nearly one-third of the 134 incarcerated reporters, editors, and photographers “published their work on the Internet
That’s what they get for failing to report the overabundence of good news.
December 8th, 2006 at 10:18 amIt looks like sentiment is finally turning all the way against Bush’s illegal war. A 71% disapproval rating of the war means that even moderate Republicans have abandoned him. Although, who are the braindead 29% of the public that approve of his handling? Are they even paying attention?
December 8th, 2006 at 10:22 amFor the second year in a row, the Committee to Protect Journalists’s “annual survey found the total number of journalists in jail worldwide has increased.†Nearly one-third of the 134 incarcerated reporters, editors, and photographers “published their work on the Internet.â€
So when will Drudge be in chains?
December 8th, 2006 at 10:24 amThat’s a scary story trucker pundit. Stop scaring me.
December 8th, 2006 at 10:25 amwho are the braindead 29% of the public that approve of his handling? Comment by PoliticalCritic — December 8, 2006 @ 10:22 am
Stick around PoliticalCritic, one of them will no doubt show up here shortly and you can ask, but you may want to have a bottle of aspirin at the ready.
December 8th, 2006 at 10:28 amAlthough, who are the braindead 29% of the public that approve of his handling? Are they even paying attention?
They are busy going to psychics, buying George Foreman grills, donating money to Jerry Falwell, investing in Nigerian e-mail schemes and laughing at Larry the Cable Guy.
-GSD
December 8th, 2006 at 10:30 amGood riddance to this band of scoundrels leaving Congress; self-appointed moralists, pigs feeding at the trough, sycophantic cheerleaders for the boy king.
December 8th, 2006 at 10:30 amTrucker Pundit,
I think Mel Gibson owes you money, big-time…
December 8th, 2006 at 10:32 am“The 109th Congress is packing its bags for good and leaving town…”
Don’t let the door hit your lazy asses on the way out…
December 8th, 2006 at 10:34 amAlthough, who are the braindead 29% of the public that approve of his handling? Are they even paying attention?
Comment by PoliticalCritic
Actually I think this is worth a little celebration. First time the 30% mark has been broken. Now I can say “What’s up with those 20%ers?”
December 8th, 2006 at 10:35 am…Sen. Harry M. Reid of Nevada bearhugged a startled Sen. Bill Frist yesterday…
We already knew Sen Reid was a dork, didn’t we? We he is. He’s a flaming dork — get used to it.
December 8th, 2006 at 10:37 amAs a final act, the Do-Nothing 109th Congress will push for approval of what is likely to be “the last major pro-drilling bill during the Bush presidency…
Just GO…!!
December 8th, 2006 at 10:42 amSo when will Drudge be in chains?
Comment by dlet
Every time his Master, Karl Rove is in town…?
December 8th, 2006 at 10:43 amLawyers representing Donald Rumsfeld “are set to appear in federal court†today “in response to a lawsuit charging that the Defense secretary authorized torture and other illegal abuse of military detainees in Afghanistan and Iraq – including at the infamous Abu Ghraib prison.â€
I’d like to see Rummy in chains. It’s a good start…
December 8th, 2006 at 10:44 amEvery time his Master, Karl Rove is in town…?
Comment by Zooey
Eeewww. Would that be Gannon in the leather mask?
December 8th, 2006 at 11:03 amIf dirty Diebold remains in Georgia, then I will not vote in 2008 Election!
Friday 8th of December 2006
by Jay Randal
It’s an outrage that dirty Diebold voting machines are still used in Georgia, and if the fraudulent touch-screen E-Vote things are used in 2008, so will I not be voting.
Not a single Georgian citizen knows if their votes were counted for their chosen candidates, in 2006 Election, because Diebold machines can be hacked very easily.
Most Georgians dislike the melon-head Governor, old Sonny Perdue, but Diebold machines assured his win in 2002 and again in 2006, and gave us Sen. Chambliss.
Diebold also helped to defeat Rep. Cynthia McKinney, in the 2006 run-off primary election, so as long as Diebold machines remain in Georgia vote fraud happens.
Americans have a Constitutional right to free and fair elections, so GOPer goons hacking E-Vote machines is a violation of our democracy, and affront to decency.
Congress must stop vote fraud or be forever damned!
( Jay Randal, political activist and writer in Georgia, USA.)
PS: House and Senate membership goes on Christmas vacation starting today, and they do not return to DC till January 15, 2007, so the Congress gets a 5 week vacation at our expense.
December 8th, 2006 at 11:05 amI think we can all agree on one thing. If Rumsfeld did authorize torture, then he should spend the rest of his life behind bars, and I don’t mean serving rum and cokes.
December 8th, 2006 at 11:06 amEeewww. Would that be Gannon in the leather mask?
Comment by dlet
Only if Rove says it’s ok.
December 8th, 2006 at 11:13 amThe Trucker Pundit:
Don’t forget the 150,000 to 600,000 other tribe members that Monkey Face also threw into the angry volcano;along with alot of green paper stuff.
December 8th, 2006 at 11:31 amGood (bad) story.
Regarding the lawsuit against Rumsfeld, this paragraph from the article caught my attention:
“Although allegations in the suit are the equivalent of war crimes, it is a civil case, not a criminal one. Only the US government is empowered to prosecute war crimes in criminal court or before a military court. Various commissions identified command-level problems as contributing to interrogation abuses, but government prosecution has focused on punishing “rogue individuals.”
So, as in this case, if it is the U.S. government itself which is complicit in these war crimes, justice will never be done.
December 8th, 2006 at 11:32 amWell, only the US and the rest of the world… Time for Rummy to get an all-expenses paid vacation to the lovely Hague!
December 8th, 2006 at 11:55 am71 percent: Number of Americans who disapprove of President Bush’s handling of the Iraq war
There is that 30-some percenters reairing their ugly heads again.
Such die-hards, there is no amount of evidence to sway them. They are the true believers, and faithful followers of the Bush personality cult.
December 8th, 2006 at 12:45 pmThere is that 30-some percenters reairing their ugly heads again.
Comment by Gregor Samsa
Come on celebrate…..it’s in the twenties now. Say it loud…..Damn those 20%ers.
December 8th, 2006 at 1:22 pm#45 I’d be all for Rummy being behind bars, especially if his diet consisted solely of rum and cokes. He could literally drown his sorrows.
December 8th, 2006 at 2:56 pmDamn those 20%ers.
Comment by dlet — December 8, 2006 @ 1:22 pm
Yes, I guess I can take that small consolation.
Damn 20%ers. If it’s always been like that, it is a true wonder our ancestors ever discovered fire, and the wheel…
December 8th, 2006 at 3:28 pmif his diet consisted solely of rum and cokes.
Mmmmmm……rum and cokes. That’s it I’m outta here. Have a good weekend.
December 8th, 2006 at 4:00 pm#55 – Ga. from Ga.,
December 8th, 2006 at 8:37 pmWhat makes you think that TP is on a unique NSA subversive list. So are AARP, the Democratic National Committee, Doctors Without Borders, the UN, the NEA, The NAACP, the ACLU and the Roman Catholic Church.