VIDEO: Two straight days of GOP obstructionism.
By on Jun 12th, 2008 at 8:10 pm
VIDEO: Two straight days of GOP obstructionism.
As ThinkProgress noted, Senate conservatives deployed obscure parliamentary maneuvers to interrupt two Senate Judiciary Committee hearings this week, one on torture and one on consumer and worker protections. American News Project happened to be filming both hearings, and caught the disruptions on tape. Watch it:
With his testimony cut off short, a witness in Wednesday’s hearing quipped: “The era of good feeling hasn’t yet begun.”
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R E M E M B E R:
THEY(sic) HATE US FOR OUR FREEDOMS…
… And so THEY(sic) obstruct hearings investigating the violations of certain unalienable FREEDOMS…
.
June 12th, 2008 at 8:21 pmWhat a bunch of cowards.
June 12th, 2008 at 8:22 pmSo what could have Republicans done if their objections were just ignored? They should have just done that and let the Republicans raise a fuss about it. That would have drawn the media spotlight onto these important issues which is just what Republicans were trying to avoid.
June 12th, 2008 at 8:23 pmAs was pointed out yesterday (sorry, I don’t remember by whom) they should have just reconvened the meeting every half hour. And when the GOP won’t allow legislation come to vote, make them filibuster.
If the GOPers in congress want to obstruct, make is very, very difficult on them.
Do I need to send some spines and balls to D.C.?
PEACE
June 12th, 2008 at 8:27 pmDemocratic leadership should disregard the objections and continue. Force the minority to work the disregard through the formal grievance procedure. You can bet that is what the Republican Majority would have done.
June 12th, 2008 at 8:29 pmGuess the Repubs are
a) forgetting about the ability of the net to widely publicize their obstructionist cowardice. b) forgetting it’s an election year.
We Won’t Forget How You Act In Congress, Nor WIll The Net.
June 12th, 2008 at 8:48 pmThey’re only trying to “conserve” their Grand Old Banana Republic.
June 12th, 2008 at 8:50 pmIt seems as if the Republicans are getting their knickers in a knot over Michelle Obama. And getting ready to take aim at her over the next few months. But maybe they should take a look in the mirror and ask themselves what are they so “proud” of? Maybe they should revisit what Michelle Obama has seen from her American leaders since she was born the year after President Kennedy got killed. And then, no matter what they come up with and manage to spin, I’ll still take a straight shooter who doesn’t mince words – the Michelle way. That’s American. That’s the American way. And the choice of spouses also tells me loads of the candidates themselves. And not the way you think. http://angryafrican.net/2008/06/12/michelle-not-a-stepford-wife/
June 12th, 2008 at 8:56 pmAnd these Repuglycans don’t think that with a 58 32 majority, this shit isn’t going to come back to haunt them?
BOOOOOOOO!
June 12th, 2008 at 9:00 pmBTW, the BOOOO was not only to scare, but to cast asparagus on the repukes.. Just in case it needed clarification.
June 12th, 2008 at 9:01 pmShould that say two straight years?
June 12th, 2008 at 9:14 pmRUC, can you please be sure to douse them in hollandaise?
Losers, every one.
June 12th, 2008 at 9:14 pmRUCerious Says:
BTW, the BOOOO was not only to scare, but to cast asparagus on the repukes.. Just in case it needed clarification.
Don’t make a fuss over the asparagus.
June 12th, 2008 at 9:16 pmIf the media outlets were really liberal or D-leaning, wouldn’t this be on every week?
June 12th, 2008 at 9:22 pmLets have a show of hands ,who thinks these maneuvers are desperation in action ? I do .. I do ..
June 12th, 2008 at 9:29 pmbut seriously Ru ,don’t waste good vegetables on bad company,……CREAM PIE and fish heads chum .
First of all, how did this 2 hour rule come into existence in the first place? Anyone know?
June 12th, 2008 at 9:29 pmSorree…this doesn’t float…
ask yourself why the Phuques are the ones who employ delaying and obstructionary tactics.
Robert FUUKIN Byrd proclaims that he knows more about the Senate than anyone who ever lived. Why didn’t Robert FUUUKIN Byrd alert the Dims to these tactics when they could—had they really wanted to—have blocked some really atrocious bombs of Bushit???
June 12th, 2008 at 9:34 pmC’mon, fellas, ’splain this to me…i’m jus a simple conga player…
These radical thugs will stop at nothing to stop our democratic process. When they were in the majority, there were no investigations, no hearings whatsoever. They should all be thrown out–impeached. Who was the mysterious senator?
June 12th, 2008 at 9:41 pmOnce the GOPigs become a permanent and substantial minority, America will see how well the adults, i.e., the Democratic Party, run things.
I dunno what planet you live on, but here on Earth, the Corporats will NEVAH lose control of the Senate. The best, most optimistic projection puts the Dims with 56-57 seats, INCLUDING Loserman. Of those, 4-5 are Blue Dogs (the nelsons, lincoln johnson, feinstein, bayh and a few more)…thus, the best that any Dim Senate caucus could reliably muster on any ‘progressive’ or ‘librul’ measure would be well below the number the CorpoRats need to stymie discussion…
June 12th, 2008 at 9:59 pmWhy when Democrats were in the minority, they were allowed use obstructionist tactics?
June 12th, 2008 at 10:00 pmquestioneverything Says:
These radical thugs will stop at nothing to stop our democratic process. When they were in the majority, there were no investigations, no hearings whatsoever. They should all be thrown out–impeached. Who was the mysterious senator?
Why Senator Pussy, “I will hang for my treason scumbag”, GOPer, That is who.
I agree with Snowball
“Snowball Says:
So what could have Republicans done if their objections were just ignored? They should have just done that and let the Republicans raise a fuss about it. That would have drawn the media spotlight onto these important issues which is just what Republicans were trying to avoid.”
June 12th, 2008 at 10:05 pmVulture, because Dems actually try to do something vs playing games with the lives of everyone.
Republicans suck. Period.
Come join the fun and tell us why YOU are voting Republican.
This thread ought to inspire you. Fu(king goopers.
June 12th, 2008 at 10:06 pmThe two words guaranteed to make Republicriminals scramble for their dusty law books?
Sworn Testimony
Like cockroaches they know they are dead meat if they get caught in the light.
June 12th, 2008 at 10:06 pmMs_Joanne,
June 12th, 2008 at 10:09 pmI don’t like the Globalist/Corporatist Republicans or the Neo-Stalinist Left. I detest both your sides. I just laugh at how when Democrats used Seanatorial Procedures Think Progress was cool with it. When the Republican do it, Think Progress attacks. Explain to me how Think Progress is Non Partisan?
1) Democrats have the power. Why don’t they change the rules?
June 12th, 2008 at 10:11 pm2) Why don’t they name the Republican?
3) Agree with the earlier person. Ignore the rule and let them challenge it. Isn’t the issue important enough?
- Democrats are wimps or conspirators. Can you imagine if today Democrats were those of the 1970’s? Nixon would have never been run out of office.
The Vulture Says:
Find one time the Democrats used this rule to disrupt the business of the Senate… I dare ya.
June 12th, 2008 at 10:13 pmWTF “vulture”? Ignore politics, if you can, for one second. Forget everything you think you know about history, government, me, TP, Dems, Libs and progs. Then look at a simple fact.
A faction within your government is blatantly obstructing proceedings to stifle oversight.
That’s it. Now ask yourself; what are they hiding?
June 12th, 2008 at 10:15 pmThink on that for a couple days.
Progressive101,
June 12th, 2008 at 10:15 pmYou got it! All Democrats do is complaining and whine. I wish we had a Nationalist Party that was against Free Trade/Globalization and was about the American Worker. Instead both of them believe in this Trade garbage. There are many on the Left that opposes Globalization/Free Trade. There are those on the Right that oppose this as well. Imagine a movement that would unite the Populist Right and Left against Globalization. That movement would be unstoppable.
pete,
It’s politics. The Democrats have done it too in the past. I really laugh at how Democrats have a holier than thou attitude. They are just as corrupt as the Republicans.
June 12th, 2008 at 10:19 pmAsk yourself this, why isn’t Obama proposing a 30% Tariff on all imported goods to revive American industries?
Think about that.
Why isn’t Obama proposing a 30% Tariff on all imported goods to revive American industries?
Any Leftist want to answer this?
June 12th, 2008 at 10:20 pmVulture-
June 12th, 2008 at 10:23 pmAsk a German about their Nationalist party… that didn’t work out too well, if I remember correctly…
The Vulture Says:
Why isn’t Obama proposing a 30% Tariff on all imported goods to revive American industries?
Because with the dollar at record lows and fuel at record highs, it would be suicide to impose a 30% tariff. That was easy, here’s one for you, which I also posted in another thread you graced with your wisdom:
Question: If the U.S. withdrew from “this Global Free Trade crap”, which part of the World’s economy would collapse first?
June 12th, 2008 at 10:25 pmJune 12th, 2008 at 10:21 pm
Why isn’t Obama proposing a 30% Tariff on all imported goods to revive American industries?
Lots of Leftist already did…
June 12th, 2008 at 10:25 pmAnswer Vulture I mean- not propose a 30% tariff…
June 12th, 2008 at 10:27 pmOops! I got distracted and forgot…
Tariffs only work when we have stuff the rest of the world wants to buy. No such luck, I’m afraid. The trade imbalance would need to be nearly redressed for tariffs to boost sales.
June 12th, 2008 at 10:29 pmPete,
You’re wrong. Tariffs will revive the Domestic economy. With Foriegn goods expensive, American companies would be more competetive and over a few years most of our products would be made in America. That would mean good paying jobs that would boost the economy. Also as to your question, China would collapse 1st then India, then Europe. America can be self sufficient. So let me guess, you’re a Corporatist Leftists.
belac,
Pajama media is a Pro-Corporate Right. I’m anti-Corporate Right. I care about the American Worker not the Wall Street specualtors that have raped America.
Are there any real Leftists here? I respect the Protectionist Left. Not the Globalist Left.
June 12th, 2008 at 10:37 pmSeriously, Vulture, have you objectively thought about what would happen to food costs and supplies? The fact is that, for some time, we have imported LOTS of cheap food and lowered our net production. (Yes, I know corn based ethanol is part of the problem. I’ll discuss why it’s silly to blame “tree-huggers” later.) The reality is that a large tariff on imported foodstuffs would cause massive price jumps and more seriously depleted stocks. Then one needs to consider the time it would take to rebuild those stocks. You may not think famine can happen here, but, it can. And few things have the potential to bring it here like a silly, ill conceived, system of isolationist tariffs.
June 12th, 2008 at 10:39 pmpete,
We export food. We have plenty. If we put up Tarrifs, Americans would buy American food. Yes it would be tough at 1st but with American goods being cheaper than Foreign, people would buy American. That would lead to good paying American jobs. Everyone would benefit.
What’s the Pro-Trade Left’s answer to declining wages and outsourced jobs?
June 12th, 2008 at 10:42 pmI hear crickets from the Pro-Trade Left. You guys have no answer.
June 12th, 2008 at 10:48 pmWell, at least he asked one pertinent question. Off topic, but, pertinent.
Are there any real Leftists here?
No. I don’t think there are. I’m old enough to remember JFK’s death and I’ve explored small parts of two continents. I don’t think I’ve ever met someone who was, definitely, a “real Leftist”. And I don’t think any of the regulars here can be described as a “real Leftist”.
As for myself. I’m a realist, a centrist and an atheist. But, mostly, I’m just a person. The rest are just labels that fit a facet of my personality. When someone asks which Party I support? I reply, “the opposition”. Which then leads to an explanation about why that doesn’t make me an “anarchist” as well.
Thanx for asking.
June 12th, 2008 at 10:53 pmThis maneuvers are indecent!!!!!! The repuplican/neocon/bastards should be named and shamed! Speacially when issues like torture and other crimes perpetrated by this imoral administration are being discussed!
June 12th, 2008 at 10:57 pmSorry for the delay. I don’t type, or think, as quickly as I used to and I like to consider what I say. Plus I like to stare at the aquarium, plus I am getting used to a new monitor and keyboard, plus I like to stare at my aquarium. LOL.
And I never said anything about free trade. I think that tariffs should be decided on an individual basis and not used punitively when we imports and exports are so severely imbalanced.
Unlike you, however, I see the Dems (who I have serious misgivings about) as the only “tool” the American voter has available to start changing what I, and many others, consider a disastrous course.
I don’t want America to “turn Left”. I want a return to accountability. The Reps have proven themselves hopelessly corrupt and incompetent. Maybe, if We The People stomp them thoroughly enough? The new Dems will take notice and prove more trustworthy. I’m willing to risk giving them a chance.
June 12th, 2008 at 11:03 pmThe idea that America can survive on it’s own and ignore the rest of the world is pitifully backward. Like it or not, the global economy is here to stay, the only question is how we adapt to the changes…
June 12th, 2008 at 11:04 pmyou’re belief that America can survive the collapse of China’s economy is amusing… these things have consequences- look at the collapse that occurred in South East Asia in the 90’s- it almost took Korea and Japan with it.
Were i agree with you is in your anti-wallstreet stance. Speculation is destroying America, not trade.
The less the MBA’s who run Wall Street understand the world around them- the more they impact it… they move huge sums of money from market to market with no thought to the consequences of their actions.
But to suddenly withdraw from the world would have catastrophic effects not just for China, India, et al. but also for a little country called the United States of America- ask Myanmar how well protectionism is working out for their people…
I’m glad the vulture is here — the rotting corpse of the Republican party needs picking.
June 12th, 2008 at 11:17 pmExactly belac. Don’t these people realize that trading is what humans do and what we always have done? No society, from a family on up, can thrive in isolation. The exchange of goods, resources and ideas is what keeps a society vibrant.
Xenophobic isolationism always, ALWAYS, leads to totalitarianism, civil strife, and collapse.
Back to Vulture: You, with all due respect, hold a minority opinion re. the collapse of markets following the abrupt pull out of the U.S. Most respected sources are quite certain that the U.S would suffer as greatly as The Soviet Union at it’s worst. Size and wealth don’t mean squat if groceries are not available.
Once again. Most respected sources are quite certain that Xenophobic isolationism always, ALWAYS, leads to totalitarianism, civil strife, and collapse.
June 12th, 2008 at 11:22 pmHiya Zooey. How’s things?
I’m playing before bedtime. Are you joining or just checking progress?
June 12th, 2008 at 11:23 pmI missed an earlier post, Mr. Vulture, but here
June 12th, 2008 at 11:30 pms my reply. Yes, America exports foodstuffs. We also import them. In fact, when ALL foodstuffs are considered (Fillers and pet-food/fodder for instance) we import quite a bit more than we export.
Well? I tried. Off to bed.
G’night good people.
June 12th, 2008 at 11:55 pmYou too trolls.
Plans to deal with GOP Obstructionists:
1. Reconvene the Judiciary Committee hearing every half hour to get around the GOP Obstruction. Be slick. Don’t let them get their way.
2. Defeat Mitch “Obstructionist” McConnell on Nov. 4th. Elect 61 Dems to the Senate (yes we can do this). Put an end to this GOP nonsense.
June 12th, 2008 at 11:57 pmRemember when the Republicans controlled Congress and when the Democrats would occasionally filibuster one of Bush’s more egregious appointments it was big news. Now, fillibusters are so common that any bill even remotely controversial automatically requires 60 votes to pass and the media reports this as if it was always this way.
http://progressiveworldreview.com
June 13th, 2008 at 12:20 amAre the Republicans so stupid that they can’t see that all they’re doing is crapping all over themselves? What am I missing? There’s something missing here.
June 13th, 2008 at 1:16 amHi Mr. Victor
June 13th, 2008 at 1:40 am.
DON’T FEED TROLLS…
FLAG TROLLS.
Let the site monitors sort it out.
Each engagment WITH a troll is like a recomend…
.
June 13th, 2008 at 2:27 amAND NOTICE when the ELITIST media covers this, they never use the word filibuster, but often use some nice, quaint term like procedural measure…
June 13th, 2008 at 4:11 amThe Vulture Says:
pete,
We export food. We have plenty. If we put up Tarrifs, Americans would buy American food. Yes it would be tough at 1st but with American goods being cheaper than Foreign, people would buy American. That would lead to good paying American jobs. Everyone would benefit.
What’s the Pro-Trade Left’s answer to declining wages and outsourced jobs?
While we export food, we must also import produce. That’s MUST. The reason, the differing seasons. Were else are you going to get fruit in the winter in such quantities? Canneries would have to shut down in the winter without the importation of produce, throwing thousands of hardworking Americans out of work, and producing shortages of most fruit-products during the winter months.
June 13th, 2008 at 8:21 ampete Says:
WTF “vulture”? Ignore politics, if you can, for one second. Forget everything you think you know about history, government, me, TP, Dems, Libs and progs. Then look at a simple fact.
A faction within your government is blatantly obstructing proceedings to stifle oversight.
That’s it. Now ask yourself; what are they hiding?
Think on that for a couple days.”
They’re ALL (R’s and D’s) hiding something. It’s like a game to them. They don’t care about you, me or anyone outside their little clique. It’s all CYA by covering someone else’s.
June 13th, 2008 at 8:49 amVulture @ 41:
Also as to your question, China would collapse 1st
FAIL.
When you’re low on money, the first thing you do is check in with everyone who owes you. Apparently you forgot how much US debt China holds. Consequently, the first thing China would do is call all of the debt and make the US pay it off. You would be ridiculously naive to think otherwise.
Kind of hard to be self-sufficient with no money, isn’t it?
June 13th, 2008 at 10:13 ame Vulture Says:
——————————————————————————–
I hear crickets from the Pro-Trade Left. You guys have no answer
June 13th, 2008 at 10:16 amThe noises you hear are probably a sign of some kind of illness.
they have medicines now to help control your hallucinations
Seems to me that everyone here has ignored the Dems using tactics to obstruct information interchange. Check the Dem dancing on the “Troopergate” hearings. It’s wrong for both sides to mess with information interchange no matter who’s dogma is piqued. We should try to recognize propoganda for what it really is.
June 13th, 2008 at 2:34 pm“The strategy of being obstructionist can work or fail … and so far it’s working for us.” - Trent Lott Former GOP Senator, now big time lobbyist
June 14th, 2008 at 2:57 pmThe present day GOP is about as unamerican as a group of people could be.
June 15th, 2008 at 11:16 amThey lie cheat steal murder and smile while they are having your children killed in Iraq.
Can their still be any bush supporters?
Can their be that many people who are so stupid and so hate filled that they would rather see bush/chenny destroy America?
Are they so stupid that they cannot or will not see the damage that the “conservative” ideology coupled with unbridled greed and a willingness by the so called elected officials to be swayed in the direction of the most cash for their votes.
The modern day republican party is founded on the principle of I will vote for whoever pays me the most.