Senate Meets For NINE SECONDS To Block Bush

[McGyver]

And it's about damn time!

Senate meets briefly to block Bush
FOIA bill could become law on New Year’s Eve if Bush does not sign it
The Associated Press:Wed., Dec. 26, 2007

WASHINGTON - The House was quiet as a mouse the day after Christmas. But across the Capitol, the Senate was operating in an unusually efficient manner in its ongoing power struggle with President Bush.

A nine-second session gaveled in and out by Sen. Jim Webb, D-Va., prevented Bush from appointing as an assistant attorney general a nominee roundly rejected by majority Democrats. Without the pro forma session, the Senate would be technically adjourned, allowing the president to install officials without Senate confirmation.

The business of blocking Bush's recess appointments was serious. It represents an institutional standoff between Congress and the president that could repeat itself during Congress' vacations for the remainder of Bush's presidency.

In such situations, pro forma sessions also could give Bush some political cover on popular legislation he doesn't want to sign. When Congress is holding pro forma sessions and is not formally adjourned, a bill sent to a president automatically becomes law 10 days after he receives it — excluding Sundays — unless he vetoes it.

That could be the fate of two bills Congress passed last week. One growing out of the Virginia Tech massacre makes it harder for people with mental illness records to buy guns. The other makes it easier for journalists and others to obtain government documents through the Freedom of Information Act. The FOIA bill, for example, would become law on New Year's Eve if not vetoed before then, according to Senate Judiciary Committee officials.

In practice, Wednesday's pro forma process was almost comical.

"Good morning!" Webb, sporting a respectful tie and jacket, called to the floor staff assembled just for the occasion in an otherwise sleepy and chilly Capitol. One clerk congratulated Webb on being 30 seconds early, thrice the amount of time it would take to complete the Senate's work for the day.

Webb opens, closes session
Climbing to the president's chair, Webb took the gavel and banged it.

"The Senate will come to order," he intoned, reading from a two-line script to a floor empty of other senators but witnessed from the gallery by one reporter and about a half dozen staffers. "Under the previous order, the Senate stands in recess until Friday, December 28th, 2007 at 10 a.m."

His work done, Webb left. The floor staff reported to those in the gallery overhead that the session had lasted nine seconds.

"I didn't appoint myself ambassador to a tropical nation," Webb, a former Navy secretary, novelist and TV documentary maker, quipped afterward.

Before Congress left last week, Democrats scheduled 11 pro forma sessions to fill the void until the Senate returns to regular session on Jan. 22. The purpose was to stop Bush from using the constitutional power presidents hold under the Constitution to bypass Senate confirmation and unilaterally install his nominees in office when Congress is adjourned.

Democrats wanted to block one such recess appointment in particular: Steven Bradbury, acting chief of the Justice Department's Office of Legislative Counsel. Bush nominated Bradbury for the job and asked the Senate to remove the "acting" in his title.

Democrats would have none of it, complaining Bradbury had signed two secret memos in 2005 saying it was OK for the CIA to use harsh interrogation techniques — some call it torture — on terrorism detainees.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., said Bush refused to rule out appointing Bradbury to the job if the Senate formally adjourned. So, Reid decided to keep the Senate in session with pro forma meetings every two or three days.

URL: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/22400673/

YOU GOTTA LOVE IT!

[Notus Lotus]

Too bad they didn't open up the House for 9 seconds everyday, as it seems Bush is doing a pocket veto of the Defense Authorization Bill related to a provision he originally didn't object to.

[Drivesme]

The Senate has done it's job, stop the damage of the president and the republicans.
All they need do now is ride it out until Nov. and then we can begin to repair the nation.

[Drivesme]

bush the loser isn't in Congress, how could he have anything to do with their numbers?

That is the fault of the GOP members of Congress, not bush the loser.

[Notus Lotus]

I am very disappointed in her. I am even more disappointed in the Republican traitors to our country who obstruct everything the Democrats were elected by a majority of the people to do.

Aren't you?

[Notus Lotus]

I see.

Well, you're entitled to your opinion.

[Notus Lotus]

Everyone in America is entitled to their opinion. That does not make them traitors because you disagree with them any more than it makes you a traitor. No one's a traitor. Would you agree with that?

Sorry, I wouldn't go that far.

[GUS]

Democrats can applaud the fact that their approval ratings in Congress looks better than the republicans. The Post poll has DEMS at 40% and the GOP at 32%. The DEMS did pass the overdue increase in minimum wage and wrote some useful ethics legislation. They began pressure on the auto industry to improve auto milaeage efficiency. Of course the DEMS caved into out idiot of a president on Iraq strategy. The voters can decide which party is the worst corporate whore and which party ignores the public needs.

[Notus Lotus]

Okay. Then explain to us why republicans are traitors. Being a traitor is a punishable offense. Who are you going to charge and what is the crime they committed that is considered treason? Thanks.

The Republican traitors who, even though the people clearly showed by their votes that they wanted America out of Iraq, continue to obstruct everything the Democrats try to do to fulfill that mandate.

I'M not going to charge anybody since I'm not in a position of authority. The most I can do is campaign against those who continue to cheerlead for this war. And I do.

[Notus Lotus]

Democrats can applaud the fact that their approval ratings in Congress looks better than the republicans. The Post poll has DEMS at 40% and the GOP at 32%. The DEMS did pass the overdue increase in minimum wage and wrote some useful ethics legislation. They began pressure on the auto industry to improve auto milaeage efficiency. Of course the DEMS caved into out idiot of a president on Iraq strategy. The voters can decide which party is the worst corporate whore and which party ignores the public needs.

Let's not forget that they managed to shoot down privatization of Social Security, put a stop to the planned decimation of Medicaire, and managed to secure more funds for our brave wounded in the VA system.

[Drivesme]

My point obviously went over your head. I'll draw pictures next time. What has Nancy Pelosi accomplished? She made a lot of promises. Aren't you disappointed in her? I sure am.

Your 'point' was more than answered.
If you want to try another feel free to do so.

[JIMV]

Bush should simply appoint someone to something and let the dems pretend these sham sessions meet constitutional muster in court.:D

[Drivesme]

Bush should simply appoint someone to something and let the dems pretend these sham sessions meet constitutional muster in court.:D
Too bad for you and bush they do meet "constitutional muster", and everyone knows it.

I would be real careful about the Constitution if I were bush, he has trampled all over that document and I'm sure he doesn't want anyone looking very close at that, as he called it "god damned piece of paper".

[JIMV]

Too bad for you and bush they do meet "constitutional muster", and everyone knows it.

I would be real careful about the Constitution if I were bush, he has trampled all over that document and I'm sure he doesn't want anyone looking very close at that, as he called it "god damned piece of paper".

I somehow suspect 'everyone knows it' means that a small group from the extreme left have all agreed on the issue without doing any legal homework at all.....again.

I suspect this would be a very open issue in the courts and could go either way. As it would be heard at the DC appeals court (the district courts do not matter on such issues) and would then probably be fast tracked to the Supremes NEXT year, the only question would be if the fellow nominated served pending gthe courts decision.

[Drivesme]

I somehow suspect 'everyone knows it' means that a small group from the extreme left have all agreed on the issue without doing any legal homework at all.....again.

I suspect this would be a very open issue in the courts and could go either way. As it would be heard at the DC appeals court (the district courts do not matter on such issues) and would then probably be fast tracked to the Supremes NEXT year, the only question would be if the fellow nominated served pending gthe courts decision.

I'm sure you suspect a lot of things about "the left", mostly what you've been told on the radio, which is where, I'm positive, you got this idea in the first place.

That being said, bush the loser doesn't have what it takes to so much as walk the dog right now. Politically the man is dead, even his own party wants nothing to do with him.

Not to mention he is the last person that can or should attempt to hold up the Constitution and claim it as his.

[JIMV]

I'm sure you suspect a lot of things about "the left", mostly what you've been told on the radio, which is where, I'm positive, you got this idea in the first place.

That being said, bush the loser doesn't have what it takes to so much as walk the dog right now. Politically the man is dead, even his own party wants nothing to do with him.

Not to mention he is the last person that can or should attempt to hold up the Constitution and claim it as his.

except for most democrats and the folk who only discover the Constitution when they are not in power abusing it....you know...the left.

[Drivesme]

You haven't changed a bit jimmy, thats too bad.

[JIMV]

But I still have hope for you...;)

[Erika]

Talking about how those evil liberals want to tax and spend. Then Risch claimed credit to lowering property taxes. BS. His tax increase in the sales tax is downright mercenary and evil. He did nothing but redistribute the tax burden to the poor. Including those who must pay increased taxes on food.

The GOP is a total joke anymore. They represent the Robin Hood syndrome in the reverse. They keep hammering the poor while giving to the rich. I don't see how any moral person could call themselves a republican.

[Bruce McAuley]

Bush looks like he may go ahead and make the recess appointment and say to hell with congress, let the courts decide, by which time he'll either be out of office or have declared Martial Law, either of which makes the point moot in all practicality.:rolleyes:

Bruce

[JIMV]

Talking about how those evil liberals want to tax and spend. Then Risch claimed credit to lowering property taxes. BS. His tax increase in the sales tax is downright mercenary and evil. He did nothing but redistribute the tax burden to the poor. Including those who must pay increased taxes on food.

The GOP is a total joke anymore. They represent the Robin Hood syndrome in the reverse. They keep hammering the poor while giving to the rich. I don't see how any moral person could call themselves a republican.

That is nonsense...the bottom 50% of the income tax pile contribute less than 4% of the taxes. What really happens is that those who pay taxes, the upper 50% are robbed to provide largess in the form of programs and welfare for that non hacking lower 50%, who in turn vote democrat for more goodies.

Simple math.:rolleyes:

[JIMV]

Bush looks like he may go ahead and make the recess appointment and say to hell with congress, let the courts decide, by which time he'll either be out of office or have declared Martial Law, either of which makes the point moot in all practicality.:rolleyes:

Bruce

I'd cheer him if he did it. After all, someone has to run government, Congress obviously isn't.

[Notus Lotus]

Wow. Cheering marshall law?

Why do righties hate democracy so?

*LOL..on edit, that would be Martial Law.
But why DO righties hate democracy so?

[JIMV]

Wow. Cheering marshall law?

Why do righties hate democracy so?

Marshall law....what, why....

[Drivesme]

Bush looks like he may go ahead and make the recess appointment and say to hell with congress, let the courts decide, by which time he'll either be out of office or have declared Martial Law, either of which makes the point moot in all practicality.:rolleyes:

Bruce

He doesn't have the guts.
The party won't let him do it, they know that they need to keep their nose clean, at least for awhile, in order to keep as many seats in Congress as they can.

He isn't going to do anything.

[Bruce McAuley]

Marshall law....what, why....

To insure he won't be prosecuted for breaking the law multiple times:
Valery Plame
Illegal wiretaps
Illegal torture
etc
etc
Otherwise he'll declare Martial Law and just become a dictator like he once alluded to.
The paperwork is already in place and agreed to...:eek:

Bruce

[Old Round Guy]

Talking about how those evil liberals want to tax and spend. Then Risch claimed credit to lowering property taxes. BS. His tax increase in the sales tax is downright mercenary and evil. He did nothing but redistribute the tax burden to the poor. Including those who must pay increased taxes on food.

The GOP is a total joke anymore. They represent the Robin Hood syndrome in the reverse. They keep hammering the poor while giving to the rich. I don't see how any moral person could call themselves a republican.



You should also point out that within just 3 or 4 months after Risch's special session of the Idaho legislature to do this (which has been criticized as having been against the Idaho Constitution in that it allowed for practically NO debate and for other reasons) that property assessments were revalued up so that no one that I know benefitted. My rent went up another $25.00/mo because my landlord has to pay more taxes.

[JIMV]

To insure he won't be prosecuted for breaking the law multiple times:
Valery Plame
Illegal wiretaps
Illegal torture
etc
etc
Otherwise he'll declare Martial Law and just become a dictator like he once alluded to.
The paperwork is already in place and agreed to...:eek:

Bruce

Imaginary scandals and legal actions....what is your point?

[Drivesme]

That is nonsense...the bottom 50% of the income tax pile contribute less than 4% of the taxes. What really happens is that those who pay taxes, the upper 50% are robbed to provide largess in the form of programs and welfare for that non hacking lower 50%, who in turn vote democrat for more goodies.

Simple math.:rolleyes:
OMG. I can't believe that people actually believe that crap.

Lather, rinse, repeat.

[Drivesme]

Imaginary scandals and legal actions....what is your point?
Lather, rinse, repeat.

[Bruce McAuley]

Imaginary scandals and legal actions....what is your point?

Oh?
Imaginary?
High Crimes and Misdemeanors easily on a long list of charges including authorizing torture in contravention of our law, and uncovering a CIA agent for political gain.
Only problem is that the Dems are going along with the fiction because they want a piece of the pork too.
George gets his war pork, they get their domestic pork.
Money wins. We both know the money wins, Jim.
My point is that George Bush came in as the Big Oil President, and he's not gonna let them down NOW in the last year of milking America while the War Bucks are piling up and oil prices are high and going higher.
But that's OK with you, I guess:rolleyes:

Bruce

[Notus Lotus]

Imaginary scandals and legal actions....what is your point?

Would they be imaginary if Democrats had done them?

[Old Round Guy]

Consider that the list I posted is from just one of several articles of impeachment that have been drafted against bush.

[JIMV]

OMG. I can't believe that people actually believe that crap.

Lather, rinse, repeat.

Unlike you I tend to prefer facts when taxes are discussed:


http://www.taxfoundation.org/news/show/1941.html

[JIMV]

Oh?
Imaginary?
High Crimes and Misdemeanors easily on a long list of charges including authorizing torture in contravention of our law, and uncovering a CIA agent for political gain.
Only problem is that the Dems are going along with the fiction because they want a piece of the pork too.
George gets his war pork, they get their domestic pork.
Money wins. We both know the money wins, Jim.
My point is that George Bush came in as the Big Oil President, and he's not gonna let them down NOW in the last year of milking America while the War Bucks are piling up and oil prices are high and going higher.
But that's OK with you, I guess:rolleyes:

Bruce

For all the legitimacy of yoru list, you might also have accussed him of being partial to one eyed, one eared flying purple people eaters.

Both are imagnary, one for artistic purposes and the other political.

[JIMV]

Consider that the list I posted is from just one of several articles of impeachment that have been drafted against bush.

With almost 500 congresscritters, all partisan and political to their last fiber, some barking mad (Kucinich comes to mind) and with only one needed to draft an article of impeachment, I am amazed that scores more of the nutters are not in that cottage industry.

[Drivesme]

Unlike you I tend to prefer facts when taxes are discussed:


http://www.taxfoundation.org/news/show/1941.html

Lather rinse and repeat jimmy.

Your party has had total control of the Govt. for almost a dozen years now, when are you going to figure out they haven't done anything about your big bugaboo?
In fact they haven't done anything about any of your/their big bugaboo's.
What does that tell you jimmy?

[JIMV]

Lather rinse and repeat jimmy.

Your party has had total control of the Govt. for almost a dozen years now, when are you going to figure out they haven't done anything about your big bugaboo?
In fact they haven't done anything about any of your/their big bugaboo's.
What does that tell you jimmy?

It tells me the democrats, who run things now, have learned well and have not done a darned thing either...:D

[Drivesme]

It tells me the democrats, who run things now, have learned well and have not done a darned thing either...:D

The Democrats don't run things now and both you and the American people know it.

They will run things after Nov. and then repairing the damage can begin.
Once the obstructionist republicans are out of the way, for a good number of years, you will see great things happen jimmy, great things.

[JIMV]

The Democrats don't run things now and both you and the American people know it.

They will run things after Nov. and then repairing the damage can begin.
Once the obstructionist republicans are out of the way, for a good number of years, you will see great things happen jimmy, great things.

If the American people 'knew it' they would not be changing party affliation to republican again. See the thread on 'bad news for the dems'.

What will you folk do if you ....shudder....lose in November? Will it be a reprise of the old 'those evil republicans stole the election' canard or perhaps something original like 'Alien influence' ?

Heck, Hillaries negatives are almost as bad as Bush's and any republican who runs against her has a good shot at beating her. If Obama wins the nomination, well, if he survives the Clinton backlash, we might have a good race, but I am not sure he can beat the Clnton machine. Edwards is simply a shyster with no chance in the general election.

[Drivesme]

If the American people 'knew it' they would not be changing party affliation to republican again. See the thread on 'bad news for the dems'.
You can try to make something of that all you want jimmy but you know what matters is the votes.

What will you folk do if you ....shudder....lose in November? Will it be a reprise of the old 'those evil republicans stole the election' canard or perhaps something original like 'Alien influence' ?
Thats funny!
I really can't wait for the major spin job you are going to deliver, second hand of course, on Nov. 3rd!

Heck, Hillaries negatives are almost as bad as Bush's and any republican who runs against her has a good shot at beating her. If Obama wins the nomination, well, if he survives the Clinton backlash, we might have a good race, but I am not sure he can beat the Clnton machine. Edwards is simply a shyster with no chance in the general election.
Hillary wins head to head against most of your boys but that doesn't matter, she won't get the nomination anyway.
Whats really amazing the way your party is eating itself, the mud is slinging and none of you sheep have figured which falling star to hitch your wagons to.
You all seem to follow, en mass, whoever is getting the most ink from day to the next, that isn't good.
The last numbers I saw 5% of 'republicans' would be voting for a Democrat this time, that is really not good for your side!

[McGyver]

You know the really sad thing is.....I really don't give a hoot which Democrat wins in 2008, ANY ONE OF THEM will be 1,000 Times Better than the Jerk that's in there now. I'm not saying they are ALL PERFECT, but I believe they All are "smart", speak Fluent English, and truly care about the American People more than they do The American Corporations. I also believe that each of them wants what's BEST for our Country....not just for their financial contributors. THAT to me is the biggest difference between a Republican and a Democrat!

[Drivesme]

You know the really sad thing is.....I really don't give a hoot which Democrat wins in 2008, ANY ONE OF THEM will be 1,000 Times Better than the Jerk that's in there now. I'm not saying they are ALL PERFECT, but I believe they All are "smart", speak Fluent English, and truly care about the American People more than they do The American Corporations. I also believe that each of them wants what's BEST for our Country....not just for their financial contributors. THAT to me is the biggest difference between a Republican and a Democrat!

They are all better than what is being offered up by the republicans, which is just more of the same old corrupt rightwing liars.

[JIMV]

so the answer is that you will whine, cry and claim stolen elections if you lose next year...despite a 2 year record of lost popularity and non accomplishments, with the congressional numbers.

as expected.

[McGyver]

so the answer is that you will whine, cry and claim stolen elections if you lose next year...despite a 2 year record of lost popularity and non accomplishments, with the congressional numbers.

Democrats WON'T lose next year...Jim....or the Election after or the Election after that....Republicans have just about "destroyed" everything this country has spent the last 200 years fighting and dying for! The American People aren't sleeping anymore Jim....They've woken up and they SEE just what this Corrupt Republican Administration has done to Their Consitution, Their Civil Rights and Their Country's Stellar Reputation....

And...... "THEY'RE MAD AS HELL AND THEY AREN'T GOING TO TAKE IT ANYMORE!"