• Politics, Schmolitics

    Yesterday in the House

    November 19, 2005 - By 

    House Rejects Iraq Pullout After GOP Forces a Vote Armed Services Committee Chairman Duncan Hunter (R-Calif.) drafted a simpler resolution calling for an immediate withdrawal of troops, saying it was a fair interpretation of Murtha’s intent. Members were heatedly debating a procedural rule concerning the Hunter resolution when Rep. Jean Schmidt (R-Ohio) was recognized at 5:20 p.m. Schmidt won a special election in August, defeating Iraq war veteran Paul Hackett, and is so new to Congress that some colleagues do not know her name (and she is the most junior member of Congress – Blogula Rasa). She told colleagues that…

  • Uncategorical Weirdness

    An Omnibus of Random Thoughts

    November 18, 2005 - By 

    My grouchiness factor is pretty high; this has to do with a badly-designed technology “upgrade” that screwed up everyone’s macro keys, repeatedly. And of course, the “upgrade” runs like an overladen swallow on final approach to Mogadishu. This grouchiness factor is abated once I get home, smooch David, and pick up Riley-the-kitty for a slouchy cuddle in the leather armchair. Last night, I watched as two dry leaves skittered around in the wind under the crabapple trees as I left the office. As I got closer, I realized they were actually two tiny little rodents, skirmishing for the scattered fruit…

  • Politics, Schmolitics

    I Like Murtha

    November 18, 2005 - By 

    CNN.com – White House: Murtha’s call is ‘surrender’ – Nov 18, 2005 “I like guys who’ve never been there who criticize us who’ve been there,” Murtha said. “I like that. I like guys who got five deferments and never been there and sent people to war and then don’t like to hear suggestions that what may need to be done.” There’s a lot of fur flying in Washington DC over Rep John Murtha’s (D-PA) about-face; this hawkish, decorated Marine vet now says “It’s time to bring the troops home.” For making this statement, he’s been targeted for special treatment by…

  • Hot Off The Presses

    Abramoff And Africa

    November 18, 2005 - By 

    What with all the bad news for the administration, it’s easy to lose track. Let’s not forget Jack Abramoff, shall we? It appears he also wanted to help African heads of state get in touch with the Bush White House. Money may have changed hands, in a way that’s usually frowned on by government auditors. Lobbyist Sought $9 Million to Set Bush Meeting – New York Times Mr. Abramoff’s ties to Gabon were first revealed in a letter that was among hundreds of pages of documents from Mr. Abramoff’s files that were released last week by the Senate Indian Affairs…

  • Radio

    Senator Al?

    November 17, 2005 - By 

    Comedian Al Franken gets serious about politics – Yahoo! News Yes, it could happen, because Al Franken is a Paul Wellstone Minnesota Democrat – meaning he’s a progressive Upper Midwest kind of political pragmatist. Hey, it could be weirder, this is Minnesota we’re talking about here. So: go Al!P.S. we really miss Katherine Lanpher, but fortunately the Sundance Channel is rerunning some “best of second season” episodes and she’s still there, laughing richly and keeping Al on track.UPDATE 11/18/06: It appears there will be no Senator Franken just yet, darn it, but even without him, the turnover of House and…