Senate conservatives repeat obscure objection to block another Judiciary hearing.
Senate conservatives repeat obscure objection to block another Judiciary hearing.
This morning, the Senate Judiciary Committee held a hearing on how recent Supreme Court decisions have restricted protections of American workers and consumers. Fulfilling their role as the Grand Obstructionist Party, Senate conservatives deployed an obscure parliamentary tactic to halt the hearing, as committee Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-VT) explained:
This morning an all too familiar pattern was underscored when a hearing on a topic our Republican colleagues did not like was cut short, without warning, by an anonymous Republican objection. … I share the sentiments Senator Whitehouse expressed before recessing the hearing — this behavior is a disgrace to the Senate, and it is especially shameful given that the victims who traveled a long way to tell their stories to the Committee did not get a full hearing.
Conservatives used the same technique yesterday to shut down a hearing on torture tactics used against detainees in U.S. custody.
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June 11th, 2008 at 4:00 pmThese b*stards don’t care about America or the American people, they care only that they can muddy the waters.
Just like pond scum.
PEACE
June 11th, 2008 at 4:04 pmIsn’t this basically the Roberts-Rules-of-Order equivalent to throwing a tantrum in a supermarket?
June 11th, 2008 at 4:06 pmWhy is it that when the GOPukes are out of power, they’re always the ones to find these tricky parliamentary maneuvers to stall the Senate’s business?
When I hear of these things, it only reassures me of my one working theory about Congress: they’re in it together. Collusion and complicity.
You cannot TELL me that no Dim Senator EVER heard of that maneuver before? There’s fothermuckers in there who are farking MARRIED to the goddam institution. They all know about every one of these tricks, but they seem purposely to leave ‘em for the Pukes in opposition.
Both parties agree in principle on the broad outlines of policy and legislation. More surveillance, more social regulation, more unfettered, untaxed, unregulated corporate hegemonism at home, and more aggressive militarist internationalism in the pursuit of energy. To the extent they disagree, it is only on the means appropriate to achieve those ends.
June 11th, 2008 at 4:06 pmSo, why are the Democrats allowing them to get away with it. Just reconvene the meeting and if they try it again, just keep reconvening until they get tired and give it up. They also need to call a press conference and blast the Obstructionist party in front of the world.
June 11th, 2008 at 4:09 pm`There seems to be no bottom to the right-wing Republican bag o’ tricks to try to stop social progress…
O/T
If you want to bring gasoline prices back down to $1.75/gallon, tell Congress to shut down the unregulated electronic oil futures trading markets.
We’re being ENRONed again: this time by oil futures contracts speculators who are unnecessarily and very profitably driving up the price of crude oil and hence retail gasoline prices. Curious as to why you are suddenly paying over four dollars a gallon for gasoline? No, it’s not due to “supply-and-demand,” no, it’s not due to “OPEC,” nor is it due to “peak oil.” It’s due to totally unregulated electronic oil futures trading in world markets. Check out the very lucid article that explains the unseen financial machinations in oil futures markets written by F. W. Engdahl on May 2, 2008, entitled, “Perhaps 60% of Today’s Oil Price is Pure Speculation.” It may be viewed at http://www.financialsense.com/editorials/2008/0502.html.
In a nutshell, he suggests that the Bush Administration dropped the ball in January 2006, when they allowed totally unregulated electronic trading of oil futures contracts in New York. Previously these electronic trades had been made at the London Intercontinental Exchange (ICE) Futures Market. With that decision by the Bush Administration, all of the world’s oil prices were then opened to upward pressure from speculative futures contracts. In essence, oil futures contracts made by speculators, banks, hedge funds and pension funds all competed with real demand on the spot markets and had the effect of driving up both wholesale oil prices and retail gasoline prices. Speculators have made billions of dollars on their trading of oil futures contracts. All of their profits come right out of our pockets.
Even with a stable oil supply, there is a slow worldwide increase in demand for oil, which creates a long-term upward pressure on oil prices. However, with the relentless saber-rattling and war-mongering by Bush and Cheney in the last several years, and the more recent war talks by McCain and the Israelis, the oil futures markets are rife with speculation and paranoia. This war talk keeps ratcheting up the prices on the oil futures contracts and hence the wholesale spot market prices. It is an endless spiral of greed and paranoia.
As long as there is no tough and effective oversight of the electronic oil futures markets by the Bush Administration, the oil prices will climb endlessly. These oil prices will be quickly followed by hikes in the retail gasoline prices at the pump. The 60% speculation share of the $4.25/gallon gasoline price, is about $2.55/gallon, which is what we consumers are paying to these oil speculators as a “service fee.” Not a bad “fee,” since the speculators produce no usable goods or services…Just a few large greedy oil futures traders helping themselves to your gas money.
Without this added-on oil futures “service fee,” you would be paying about $1.75/gallon for gasoline. Write, call or smoke-signal your Representatives and Senators today and suggest that they read the June 2006 report by The U. S. Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations entitled, “The Role of Market Speculation in Rising Oil and Gas Prices.” Then demand that they investigate and then force the Bush Administration to firmly regulate the computerized oil futures contracts trading in New York, London and Dubai.
June 11th, 2008 at 4:10 pmSeeing that the story broke this morning, I guess it is now safe to assume that TP won’t be picking up the Jim Johnson resignation as chairman of the Obama VP search team story. Cherry- picking news stories= propaganda, plain and simple. Show some stones, you wussies!!
June 11th, 2008 at 4:11 pmHow come the Democrats never figured out how to play hardball as the minority?
June 11th, 2008 at 4:11 pmAnd the congress approval ratings are tied directly to this kind of behavior… Repukian scum sucking neanderturd brownshirting christofascist knuckle-draggers.
June 11th, 2008 at 4:12 pmCutting off the voice of citizens? That’s a familiar Congressional refrain. They’ll take money from healthcare companies with no, as in zero, facilities in their state, but try to e-mail them with your concern and they reply, “I’m sorry, I only respond to people within my state/district.”
How does that out of state check get cashed with such a policy? A pox on both the red and blue political houses.
June 11th, 2008 at 4:13 pmthe Rethuglic party is the Amerikan equivalent of the German Nazi party under Hitler. Their philosophies are certainly the same.
June 11th, 2008 at 4:14 pmIf we can not win, we will drag half the world into the abyss with us.- Adolf Hitler
Does anyone have the 800 number for the US Capitol switchboard? It is long past time that we make calls to these senators who are doing the obstruction and telling them to get on with the business of the people of this country.
They are terrified of how further exposed they will be in their roles in aiding and abetting the White House. They act like a bunch of preschoolers.
June 11th, 2008 at 4:15 pmNettles Says:
Seeing that the story broke this morning, I guess it is now safe to assume that TP won’t be picking up the Jim Johnson resignation as chairman of the Obama VP search team story. Cherry- picking news stories= propaganda, plain and simple. Show some stones, you wussies!!
What is your point? I read the story earlier on a nother Progressive site and found it refreshing that Johnson immediately resigned to save Obama any flack. How many of McCain’s lobbyists have resigned? How many of the Swiftboaters has he jumped on?
You are, indeed, a piece of work!
June 11th, 2008 at 4:16 pmEasy way to stop the GOP BS in these cases.
Let those scumbags know that within 30 minutes of their obstructionism, the witnesses and Dems will be making their views known via press conference on the capitol steps, with NO GOP members around to spin the issue their way.
Screw the republicans like this a few times, when they can’t have their say, and don’t be surprised if the GOP decides public hearings-occasions where they can put their spin on public display-is far better for them than situations where they can’t counter the worst possible spin put on their actions.
Oh, and while the Dems are at it, make sure to schedule as many hard votes for the Republicans as possible, preferably starting in October.
The closer we get to election day, the more the GOP needs to be hammered mercilessly. That party’s idiots, who put loyalty to Bush Jr FAR above loyalty to our Constitution and country must be destroyed legally and politically.
Like Richard Clarke said, we cannot afford to let the Bushtards back into polite or civilized society.
June 11th, 2008 at 4:17 pmThe James A. Johnson resignation story broke this afternoon for much of the country.
http://blog.washingtonpost.com/ the-trail/ 2008/ 06/ 11/ johnson_steps_down_from_obama.html
TP’s avoided it for days. Republicans have no shame in rubbing this serial executive compensation abuser in the face of Democrats. It’s the proverbial pot calling the kettle black. A disturbing story, regardless of party affiliation:
http://peureport.blogspot.com/
June 11th, 2008 at 4:18 pmFirst, we do not want to play hardball in the same manner as the Republicans. We want to move legislation foreward through honest debate and compromise. Obstruction for the sake of obstruction is poor government and poor democracy. We need to stand for more than that.
Second, we are not defenseless just because we will not follow their gutter tactics. There is a lot to be learned from Republican message machine that would permit the Democrats to present a far more effective message. Coordination, the willingness to buy advertising and the use of surrogates all seem to be lacking on our side.
Third, an effective message campaign would start with McConnell making a speech that the Republican party intended to obstruct legislation in order to deny the Democrats credit for accomplishing any important business before this election. This should become a standard ad with additional footage inserted for every act of obstruction. Then it should be played in markets that we could best sway the voters against Republicans running for re-election.
June 11th, 2008 at 4:29 pmThey’ve filibustered energy reform, equal pay for women, rationalizing the alternative minimum tax, sufficient rest for combat troops in between their tours, dealing with climate change, and a windfall profits tax on Exxon-Mobil and their buddies.
For those who counter with the argument that the Democrats filibustered, too, ask them to explain how and why the GOP has set a new record for filibusters–in the 110th Congress, TWICE those of any previous Congress.
I just hope the DNC nails the bastards for their brazen and constant attacks on nearly any measure that might prove helpful to the middle- and working-class Americans the GOP seems to despise so much.
Maybe for the next major progressive bill, we should LET them filibuster and then try to explain themselves to their constituents.
Please, Lord, grant us a supermajority in the November elections–it may not be enough to have a Democrat in the White House alone.
June 11th, 2008 at 4:36 pmWhen democrats were in the minority, until 2006, republicans of course ran roughshod over them. Why? Why? Why didn’t the democratic minority use these same obstructionist tactics to stop the Bush Administration from stealing our country? I can not recall ONE single instance when I was able to gloat over the dems using some parliamentary tactic to stop some evil and destructive legislation from literally walking itself to approval.
Is there not one countermeasure this so-called “majority” can use to thwart the never ending, disgusting successes the republican seem to enjoy. Damnit to hell!! You weak-kneed, absolutely ball-less democrats are HELPING the republicans completely destroy America, as Americans have known it. What is wrong with you people? Are you stupid to legislative procedure or just gutless to the core? I would hate to have most all of you on my side in a street fight. Powder puffs don’t do much damage to your adversary. I am ashamed of the lot of you. History will remember your cowardice and collusion in thwarting justice, fairness and you sworn commitment to the Constitution and the United States of America.
June 11th, 2008 at 4:56 pmFox Lies tried to catapult the propaganda with a story about; according to the scroll;
“Dems block GOP from approving drilling oil off the East Coast” or something to that effect.
The Democratic Senator they had on opened with, “If the GOP really wanted to do that, they had complete control for 6 years….”
‘Nuff said.
That’s the story of the 2008 election..the GOP had complete control of the federal government for 6 years and look at what they did with it.
June 11th, 2008 at 4:58 pmThe democrats used this tactic often when they were in the minority. Selective memory is very rampant on the left. I believe they have medication for this. It’s called “The Google”.
Find one example of the previous minority doing this… I couldn’t.
June 11th, 2008 at 5:00 pmIf the Democrats had obstructed the USA PATRIOT Act, the Military Commissions Act, and the Protect America Act, it would have been good government and GREAT democracy. Why didn’t they?
June 11th, 2008 at 5:20 pmone does not equal often
June 11th, 2008 at 5:24 pmtwo does not equal often
June 11th, 2008 at 5:24 pmPyr-
June 11th, 2008 at 5:31 pmI have yet to see an instance when the minority democratic party used parliamentary procedure to undermine the operation of the house… I see one link to a ’stolen’ vote where the minority republicans object to a vote and another where the minority republicans object to a measure introduced to give a vote to reps. from U.S. territories…
I asked for a single instance when the Democratic minority simply used parliamentary procedure to disrupt the business of the House, not stuff you find objectionable that the Democratic MAJORITY is doing, fulfilling their mandate, BTW…
The democrats used this tactic often when they were in the minority. Selective memory is very rampant on the left. I believe they have medication for this. It’s called “The Google”.
This is what you posted, Pyr… I wanna know when the Democratic Party pulled this when they were in the minority- not stuff you find objectionable in general.
June 11th, 2008 at 5:40 pmIf it happened so often it shouldn’t be too hard to find one, should it?
In January, 2009, there will be 60 senate seats firmly in Democratic party control and President Obama won’t have to worry about this kind of g.o.p. obstructionism.
June 11th, 2008 at 5:49 pmhelenahandbasket Says:
In January, 2009, there will be 60 senate seats firmly in Democratic party control and President Obama won’t have to worry about this kind of g.o.p. obstructionism.
Oh, those bastards will still find a way. Even if they have to stamp their widdle feet and hold their breathe like the incorrigible little brats they are.
June 11th, 2008 at 5:55 pmWhere are the Democrats on this?
If I remember correctly, anytime the Repukes felt slighted, they’d walk out in front of the Capital building and start b_tching into a bank of microphones that just happened to be waiting for them.
Get with it, for f_ck’s sake!
June 11th, 2008 at 6:01 pmSorry Prytania but this round goes to belac. You’ve had more than enough time to come up with an example which supports the original claim. Before you imply that I tacitly endorsed your alledged finds earlier you should know that I never look at the links you claimed as supporting evidence
June 11th, 2008 at 7:07 pmAnd it’s the Democrats who get lableled as “obstructionists” by Limbaugh, Hannity and all the rest of their liberal media.
June 11th, 2008 at 7:10 pmWell, at least this is a slight improvement over when culture of corruption Republicans ran Congress, wouldn’t hold any hearings at all to hear from ordinary American citizens (or hold any hearings at all to hold the corrupt and evil Bush/Cheney administration accountable), leading Democrats (at least some of the more patriotic ones) to hold non-Republican-sanctioned hearings in the basement.
These Republicans are acting like a bunch of Communists, taking orders from the Kremlin.
June 11th, 2008 at 9:39 pmBlogwhoring…so sorry.
You’re gonna love this!
Why are YOU voting Republican?
June 12th, 2008 at 12:37 amI can think of only ONE occasion when the Dems used a parliamentary procedure at the time they were the minority party in the Senate.
Reid smacked the GOP around when he called for Rule 21, an effort to prod the committee headed by Sen Roberts-yet another loyal Bush Jr lackey-regarding the pre-invasion use of intelligence by the Administration.
It riled up the Bushtards because they were gloating about the Alito nomination less than 24 hours before.
But one example does not translate to “many”, and like someone else pointed out, the Dems really ought to make the GOP start trying to carry through on its filibuster bluffs.
One can’t play nice with the knuckledraggers who have driven the US into the ground the past seven years, one can’t make common cause with rat-bastards who put loyalty to this President FAR above loyalty to the same Constitution these Bush Jr enablers swore to uphold and defend against all enemies foreign and domestic.
Simple bumper-sticker politics here,
Bad For The GOP=Good For The USA.
June 12th, 2008 at 2:08 am.
Yea, yea, yea… I know…
THEY(sic) HATE US FOR OUR FREEDOMS…
… And so THEY(sic) obstruct oversight into the infringement of people’s FREEDOMS.
So, What is the Senate gonna do about that?
.
June 12th, 2008 at 3:13 amDemocrats in Congress try to “compromise” with Republicans in a spirit of “bipartisanship” no matter what the Republicans do.
It is time for Democrats in Congress to stop this nonsense. You cannot compromise with someone who not only is unwilling to compromise but who pulls dirty tricks to obliterate you.
Democrats in Congress need to get some balls and block any efforts by Republicans to get any of their bills to the floor. Democrats need to stop bowing down to Bush and instead hold him and his administration accountable. Democrats need to shut down Washington until hearings are allowed to move forward. Desperate times call for desperate measures.
June 12th, 2008 at 11:11 amThey would rather prevent good being done just so no claim of good being done can be made, no matter what the merits.
June 13th, 2008 at 12:20 amIt’s beyond obstruction.
It’s the politics of a 6-year-old.
These guys are despicable and UNAMERICAN……..
June 13th, 2008 at 2:11 amBecause the Democrats were AFRAID that the GOP Thugs and their media lackeys would hammer them for being obstructionists. Does the media use the filibuster word when Republicans use it? I seem to remember that they used such nice terms as procedural measure as if to legitimize them while using the F-Word when the Democrats used it or they DON’T cover it.
June 13th, 2008 at 4:25 amThey either use the term block or say it fell short of the 60 votes needed.
June 13th, 2008 at 4:26 am