Comments on: Senator places hold on OPEN Government Act. http://thinkprogress.org/2007/05/25/senator-places-hold-on-open-government-act/ Fri, 27 Nov 2009 03:48:36 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.5 hourly 1 By: NeilR http://thinkprogress.org/2007/05/25/senator-places-hold-on-open-government-act/comment-page-1/#comment-3831966 NeilR Thu, 31 May 2007 17:53:23 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2007/05/25/senator-places-hold-on-open-government-act/#comment-3831966 FYI. The Society of Professional Journalists (at spj.org) is having its members contact their senators to try to find the identity of the secret senator. FYI. The Society of Professional Journalists (at spj.org) is having its members contact their senators to try to find the identity of the secret senator.

]]> By: BruinKid http://thinkprogress.org/2007/05/25/senator-places-hold-on-open-government-act/comment-page-1/#comment-3825677 BruinKid Mon, 28 May 2007 12:25:45 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2007/05/25/senator-places-hold-on-open-government-act/#comment-3825677 #18, it was not Cornyn. He helped WRITE this bill with Leahy. As much as you'd like to think it was him, it was not. You can also eliminate the co-sponsors of the bill as ones who put the secret hold on the bill. <a href="http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=s110-849" rel="nofollow">Here</a> is a list of the 10 co-sponsors, so you can also cross off Isakson and Specter from the list of possible suspects. #18, it was not Cornyn. He helped WRITE this bill with Leahy. As much as you’d like to think it was him, it was not.

You can also eliminate the co-sponsors of the bill as ones who put the secret hold on the bill. Here is a list of the 10 co-sponsors, so you can also cross off Isakson and Specter from the list of possible suspects.

]]> By: upright left http://thinkprogress.org/2007/05/25/senator-places-hold-on-open-government-act/comment-page-1/#comment-3825621 upright left Mon, 28 May 2007 05:28:35 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2007/05/25/senator-places-hold-on-open-government-act/#comment-3825621 "No Democratic senator would try to slow an open government bill. Highly unlikely." Comment by Bauer, Jack — May 25, 2007 @ 11:08 pm Noooo, not a Democrat. What's that? Robert Byrd did it, too? Crap! "I think what everybody is thinking is the hold road to nowhere Stevens put on the bill that would guarantee publication of government spending. " Comment by JPark — May 25, 2007 @ 11:51 pm Nice try J. Did you deliberately leave Byrd (aka "The King of Pork) out or did you really not know? : "In a new twist in this week's Capitol Hill whodunnit, Sen. Robert C. Byrd, D-W.Va., acknowledged Thursday that he also placed a "secret hold" on legislation that would open up the hidden world of government contracts to public scrutiny. ..." http://www.azstarnet.com/allheadlines/144670 "They call me 'The Pork King,' they don't know how much I enjoy it." - Sen. Robert Byrd "West Virginia has always had four friends," Byrd said, "God Almighty, Sears Roebuck, Carter's Liver Pills, and Robert C. Byrd." http://www.cagw.org/site/PageServer?pagename=news_byrddroppings Dang it. He admits to being King of Pork, believes in God, shops at Sears and belonged to the KKK? Whatever is a liberal to do? One of these days he's gonna do something you all really object to, huh? ;) “No Democratic senator would try to slow an open government bill. Highly unlikely.”
Comment by Bauer, Jack — May 25, 2007 @ 11:08 pm

Noooo, not a Democrat. What’s that? Robert Byrd did it, too? Crap!

“I think what everybody is thinking is the hold road to nowhere Stevens put on the bill that would guarantee publication of government spending. ”
Comment by JPark — May 25, 2007 @ 11:51 pm

Nice try J. Did you deliberately leave Byrd (aka “The King of Pork) out or did you really not know? :

“In a new twist in this week’s Capitol Hill whodunnit, Sen. Robert C. Byrd, D-W.Va., acknowledged Thursday that he also placed a “secret hold” on legislation that would open up the hidden world of government contracts to public scrutiny. …”
http://www.azstarnet.com/allheadlines/144670

“They call me ‘The Pork King,’ they don’t know how much I enjoy it.” – Sen. Robert Byrd

“West Virginia has always had four friends,” Byrd said, “God Almighty, Sears Roebuck, Carter’s Liver Pills, and Robert C. Byrd.”
http://www.cagw.org/site/PageServer?pagename=news_byrddroppings

Dang it. He admits to being King of Pork, believes in God, shops at Sears and belonged to the KKK? Whatever is a liberal to do? One of these days he’s gonna do something you all really object to, huh? ;)

]]> By: upright left http://thinkprogress.org/2007/05/25/senator-places-hold-on-open-government-act/comment-page-1/#comment-3825594 upright left Mon, 28 May 2007 04:45:26 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2007/05/25/senator-places-hold-on-open-government-act/#comment-3825594 Whoever said one person couldn’t make a difference was a fool. This rule needs to be banished to the netherworld. In an open government an anonymous hold is an abomination. Comment by JPark — May 25, 2007 @ 11:17 pm Yeah, da*n that senator for daring to try to get open debate on this open government bill! ;) Whoever said one person couldn’t make a difference was a fool. This rule needs to be banished to the netherworld. In an open government an anonymous hold is an abomination.

Comment by JPark — May 25, 2007 @ 11:17 pm

Yeah, da*n that senator for daring to try to get open debate on this open government bill! ;)

]]> By: Angela http://thinkprogress.org/2007/05/25/senator-places-hold-on-open-government-act/comment-page-1/#comment-3824588 Angela Sun, 27 May 2007 01:28:13 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2007/05/25/senator-places-hold-on-open-government-act/#comment-3824588 Thanks to ThinkProgress for getting the word out. We are making some headway in smoking out the secret hold culprit. Let us know on www.theWatchdogBlog.org if you get a response from a Republican senator one way or another. Thanks to ThinkProgress for getting the word out. We are making some headway in smoking out the secret hold culprit. Let us know on http://www.theWatchdogBlog.org if you get a response from a Republican senator one way or another.

]]> By: waydot http://thinkprogress.org/2007/05/25/senator-places-hold-on-open-government-act/comment-page-1/#comment-3823686 waydot Sat, 26 May 2007 16:26:04 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2007/05/25/senator-places-hold-on-open-government-act/#comment-3823686 This government of ours is getting more and more surreal. I can't keep up with the issues to be outraged about! We are being bombarded by one outrage after another. What is it going to take to get the government back in the hands of the people? These monsters have got to be stopped. This government of ours is getting more and more surreal. I can’t keep up with the issues to be outraged about! We are being bombarded by one outrage after another. What is it going to take to get the government back in the hands of the people? These monsters have got to be stopped.

]]> By: Anonymous http://thinkprogress.org/2007/05/25/senator-places-hold-on-open-government-act/comment-page-1/#comment-3823589 Anonymous Sat, 26 May 2007 13:53:37 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2007/05/25/senator-places-hold-on-open-government-act/#comment-3823589 Perhaps step one should be to amend the OPEN government act to require that anyone placing a hold on a bill be oublicly identified. Step two should be to amend the OPEN government act to require that anyone adding a provision to a bill be publicly identified. Perhaps step one should be to amend the OPEN government act to require that anyone placing a hold on a bill be oublicly identified. Step two should be to amend the OPEN government act to require that anyone adding a provision to a bill be publicly identified.

]]> By: Coffins draped with flags http://thinkprogress.org/2007/05/25/senator-places-hold-on-open-government-act/comment-page-1/#comment-3823571 Coffins draped with flags Sat, 26 May 2007 12:56:26 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2007/05/25/senator-places-hold-on-open-government-act/#comment-3823571 impeach... Thanks for the link. It helps explain why someone would put a hold on a bill especially since the 109 Congress just dumped bills on the Senate without time to read the bill before voting. I would prefer that Senator and Congressman and Congresswomen take the time needed to read and understand a bill before voting for the bill. I don't understand why the hold has to be "secret". A Senator should just be able to state that they need more time to read the bill and request a "hold" for a defined time period. impeach…

Thanks for the link. It helps explain why someone would put a hold on a bill especially since the 109 Congress just dumped bills on the Senate without time to read the bill before voting. I would prefer that Senator and Congressman and Congresswomen take the time needed to read and understand a bill before voting for the bill. I don’t understand why the hold has to be “secret”. A Senator should just be able to state that they need more time to read the bill and request a “hold” for a defined time period.

]]> By: Coffins draped with flags http://thinkprogress.org/2007/05/25/senator-places-hold-on-open-government-act/comment-page-1/#comment-3823570 Coffins draped with flags Sat, 26 May 2007 12:51:43 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2007/05/25/senator-places-hold-on-open-government-act/#comment-3823570 Indiana Senate Candidate 08 - good luck... you'll need more than prayers. You'll need lots of money, too. Do lots of hand shaking and do public appearances every chance you. Voters love when a candidate takes the time to meet them face to face. Indiana Senate Candidate 08 – good luck… you’ll need more than prayers. You’ll need lots of money, too. Do lots of hand shaking and do public appearances every chance you. Voters love when a candidate takes the time to meet them face to face.

]]> By: impeachcheneythenbush http://thinkprogress.org/2007/05/25/senator-places-hold-on-open-government-act/comment-page-1/#comment-3823568 impeachcheneythenbush Sat, 26 May 2007 12:43:00 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2007/05/25/senator-places-hold-on-open-government-act/#comment-3823568 <em># #12 Sharon–Before the elections, a Senator put a “secret hold” on a bill–I think it was Senator Byrd, and it involved a database on earmarks or something. The Sunlight Foundation wanted to know the Senator’s name. Maybe it wasn’t Senator Byrd, but I seem to recall it was. Comment by midwestblue — May 25, 2007 @ 11:03 pm</em> It was both Sen. Byrd and Sen. Stevens (Alaska). See this link: http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Federal_Funding_Accountability_and_Transparency_Act#.22Secret.22_holds #

#12 Sharon–Before the elections, a Senator put a “secret hold” on a bill–I think it was Senator Byrd, and it involved a database on earmarks or something. The Sunlight Foundation wanted to know the Senator’s name. Maybe it wasn’t Senator Byrd, but I seem to recall it was.

Comment by midwestblue — May 25, 2007 @ 11:03 pm

It was both Sen. Byrd and Sen. Stevens (Alaska). See this link:

http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Federal_Funding_Accountability_and_Transparency_Act#.22Secret.22_holds

]]> By: Coffins draped with flags http://thinkprogress.org/2007/05/25/senator-places-hold-on-open-government-act/comment-page-1/#comment-3823567 Coffins draped with flags Sat, 26 May 2007 12:40:10 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2007/05/25/senator-places-hold-on-open-government-act/#comment-3823567 Why can't they just bring the bill to the floor anyway. A "secret hold" should not be recognized. If the Senator objects to the bill, then they should show integrity by not remaining annoymous. Only a dishonest coward would hide behind the name "Senator Annoymous". Why can’t they just bring the bill to the floor anyway. A “secret hold” should not be recognized. If the Senator objects to the bill, then they should show integrity by not remaining annoymous. Only a dishonest coward would hide behind the name “Senator Annoymous”.

]]> By: Doc Rock http://thinkprogress.org/2007/05/25/senator-places-hold-on-open-government-act/comment-page-1/#comment-3823554 Doc Rock Sat, 26 May 2007 11:28:00 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2007/05/25/senator-places-hold-on-open-government-act/#comment-3823554 A criminal enterprise cannot thrive in the light of day. A criminal enterprise cannot thrive in the light of day.

]]> By: Happy Republican http://thinkprogress.org/2007/05/25/senator-places-hold-on-open-government-act/comment-page-1/#comment-3823546 Happy Republican Sat, 26 May 2007 10:44:01 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2007/05/25/senator-places-hold-on-open-government-act/#comment-3823546 When people start blathering about about how the major political parties are part of the same corrupt system, I remind them that the Dems gave us FOIA, while the Republicans fought it tooth and nail. It sometimes shuts them up. When people start blathering about about how the major political parties are part of the same corrupt system, I remind them that the Dems gave us FOIA, while the Republicans fought it tooth and nail. It sometimes shuts them up.

]]> By: Willy http://thinkprogress.org/2007/05/25/senator-places-hold-on-open-government-act/comment-page-1/#comment-3823529 Willy Sat, 26 May 2007 06:24:48 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2007/05/25/senator-places-hold-on-open-government-act/#comment-3823529 Send that freedom-hating, anti-Democracy Republican to Gitmo. Send that freedom-hating, anti-Democracy Republican to Gitmo.

]]> By: Indiana Senate Candidate 08 http://thinkprogress.org/2007/05/25/senator-places-hold-on-open-government-act/comment-page-1/#comment-3823521 Indiana Senate Candidate 08 Sat, 26 May 2007 05:59:22 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2007/05/25/senator-places-hold-on-open-government-act/#comment-3823521 It is because of crap like that,that is making me run. This shit gets so old!!! Tony Van Pelt Indiana Dem District 44 I will be running vs- Brent Steele (R-Indiana) Any prayer would help It is because of crap like that,that is making me run. This shit gets so old!!!
Tony Van Pelt
Indiana Dem
District 44
I will be running vs- Brent Steele (R-Indiana)
Any prayer would help

]]> By: Bjobotts http://thinkprogress.org/2007/05/25/senator-places-hold-on-open-government-act/comment-page-1/#comment-3823512 Bjobotts Sat, 26 May 2007 05:43:39 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2007/05/25/senator-places-hold-on-open-government-act/#comment-3823512 Legislation by ambush eh? How in the hell is that possible that one senator can hold up a bill without saying why or even saying who he is? How do we know the minority leader isn't just lying? "I won't say why and I won't say who but this bill is being held back from a vote. Okay? Okay." Should have done that on the Iraq funding bill. Legislation by ambush eh? How in the hell is that possible that one senator can hold up a bill without saying why or even saying who he is? How do we know the minority leader isn’t just lying?

“I won’t say why and I won’t say who but this bill is being held back from a vote. Okay? Okay.” Should have done that on the Iraq funding bill.

]]> By: Kate Henry http://thinkprogress.org/2007/05/25/senator-places-hold-on-open-government-act/comment-page-1/#comment-3823388 Kate Henry Sat, 26 May 2007 04:03:19 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2007/05/25/senator-places-hold-on-open-government-act/#comment-3823388 So that is what Karl Rove's secret visit to capitol hill the other day was about. The House needs to get on passing the bill to banish this rule like the Senate did. And then let the madman veto it. Boy will that stink to high heaven. The most secretive president in history vetoes a bill to foster open government. So that is what Karl Rove’s secret visit to capitol hill the other day was about. The House needs to get on passing the bill to banish this rule like the Senate did. And then let the madman veto it. Boy will that stink to high heaven. The most secretive president in history vetoes a bill to foster open government.

]]> By: JPark http://thinkprogress.org/2007/05/25/senator-places-hold-on-open-government-act/comment-page-1/#comment-3823373 JPark Sat, 26 May 2007 03:51:42 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2007/05/25/senator-places-hold-on-open-government-act/#comment-3823373 I think what everybody is thinking is the hold road to nowhere Stevens put on the bill that would guarantee publication of government spending. Or it was that POS Coburn putting a hold on the Genetic Information Non-Discrimination Act. Or that POS (I know, repetitive) Coburn putting a hold on a resolution that would honor an environmentalist. Or that POS Coburn (yeah, it gets tiring) putting a hold on a bill banning cockfighting. Oklahoma, you guys need to reign in your hillbilly. I think what everybody is thinking is the hold road to nowhere Stevens put on the bill that would guarantee publication of government spending. Or it was that POS Coburn putting a hold on the Genetic Information Non-Discrimination Act. Or that POS (I know, repetitive) Coburn putting a hold on a resolution that would honor an environmentalist. Or that POS Coburn (yeah, it gets tiring) putting a hold on a bill banning cockfighting. Oklahoma, you guys need to reign in your hillbilly.

]]> By: Sharon http://thinkprogress.org/2007/05/25/senator-places-hold-on-open-government-act/comment-page-1/#comment-3823362 Sharon Sat, 26 May 2007 03:35:02 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2007/05/25/senator-places-hold-on-open-government-act/#comment-3823362 Midwestblue, I think you are correct. Remember a little about it now, then some one leaked he did it and he pulled his hold, I think....Blessings Midwestblue, I think you are correct. Remember a little about it now, then some one leaked he did it and he pulled his hold, I think….Blessings

]]> By: kasinca http://thinkprogress.org/2007/05/25/senator-places-hold-on-open-government-act/comment-page-1/#comment-3823354 kasinca Sat, 26 May 2007 03:30:16 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2007/05/25/senator-places-hold-on-open-government-act/#comment-3823354 Some thug Rethuglican is carrying water for KKKarl Rove. They do not want openness in government reporting at this crime family headquarters. Some thug Rethuglican is carrying water for KKKarl Rove. They do not want openness in government reporting at this crime family headquarters.

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