Random News Observations

[JubilantLankyLad 1,960]

What was McConnell's actual statement that you are referring to?

"Matters of this level of controversy always require 60 votes."

 

That's the only actual quotation I've seen in a few minutes of searching online, but the paraphrases of his statements are equally clear. He called for a vote. Reid agreed to have a vote. McConnell then said no. You don't do that if you're trying to pass the bill.

 

Also, I'm not sure if its true, but I've read this is the first time that a senator has filibustered himself. That seems to contradict your statement that Reid did it earlier. When did that happen?

[brvheart 1,768]

"Matters of this level of controversy always require 60 votes."

 

That's the only actual quotation I've seen in a few minutes of searching online, but the paraphrases of his statements are equally clear. He called for a vote. Reid agreed to have a vote. McConnell then said no. You don't do that if you're trying to pass the bill.

 

Also, I'm not sure if its true, but I've read this is the first time that a senator has filibustered himself. That seems to contradict your statement that Reid did it earlier. When did that happen?

 

Just because he wants 60 votes, which is very common, doesn't mean he didn't like his bill. There are some major assumptions happening on your part there. It sounds like the exact thing I'm talking about. He wanted more time to get the votes he needed.

 

http://hotair.com/archives/2012/12/05/huh-thats-odd-harry-reid-declines-to-bring-a-vote-on-obamas-cliff-plan/

http://newsbusters.org/blogs/ken-shepherd/2012/12/06/nets-washpost-nyt-all-fail-report-harry-reid-refused-allow-senate-vote

http://thehill.com/video/senate/271255-mcconnell-calls-for-vote-on-obamas-ridiculous-deficit-reduction-plan

http://beforeitsnews.com/opinion-conservative/2012/12/harry-reid-refuses-to-allow-vote-on-obamas-fiscal-cliff-proposal-2537340.html

 

I'm not upset at Reid. He needs more time to get votes. I understand. Everyone does it.

[JubilantLankyLad 1,960]

Just because he wants 60 votes, which is very common, doesn't mean he didn't like his bill. There are some major assumptions happening on your part there. It sounds like the exact thing I'm talking about. He wanted more time to get the votes he needed.

 

http://hotair.com/ar...mas-cliff-plan/

http://newsbusters.o...low-senate-vote

http://thehill.com/v...-reduction-plan

http://beforeitsnews...al-2537340.html

 

I'm not upset at Reid. He needs more time to get votes. I understand. Everyone does it.

It would appear that my friend from the great state of Iowa doesn't understand what he's talking about.

 

It's not common. Prior to the 70s it was very UNcommon, but since 2007 it has been GOPSOP^* as an obstructionist tactic - with the GOP using it 40% more often than the Democratics in the last ten years (and about double per year the Democrat's record).

 

Further, your links actually make my point precisely. McConnell requested a simple majority vote on the bill including a debt ceiling plan amendment, Reid declined to call the vote (not really remotely the same thing as a filibuster, but let's ignore that for the moment). The next day McConnell tried to have the bill voted on alone, not as an amendment (simple majority again, just like the day before). Reid did offer to hold the vote on the plan which made McConnell realize that he had miscalculated and the vote might actually pass. So McConnell changed his mind and threatened to filibuster.

 

And make no mistake, McConnell does not want to pass the debt ceiling plan. He has called it "ridiculous", "unserious", and stated that no-one, D or R, could possibly support it. This is interesting as in 2011, he actually made essentially the same proposal (although it was not permanent), so he liked it back then. But now that it's Obama suggesting it (and calling it the "McConnell Provision") he'll have none of it.

 

Further, McConnell is guilty of continuing the bullshit narrative that the debt ceiling plan "is for us to give the president unlimited authority to borrow money from the Chinese without coming to the the Congress at all", and somebody really needs to step up and stop this before it's too late. The debt ceiling is a stupid name for this situation the US has found itself in. The money is already borrowed. They're arguing about paying it back. They're arguing about whether to sign the check to pay for stuff they've already bought and taken home. That's a hugely dangerous and misguided game to be playing, and it needs to end - hence the McConnell Provision in the first place.

 

Then again, maybe you don't know what a filibuster actually is. Maybe you think it makes sense to make it harder to pass a bill that you want to pass. Maybe the same logic explains why God put million year old fossils on a 10,000 year old planet. Maybe you're trolling. For the sakes of little Jimmy, and Susie, and David, and Mary, and John Jr, and Francis, and Joseph, and Sarah, and Beth, and Deborah, and Peter, and Ruth, and Patrick, and Maggie, and Turbo, I hope so.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

^* Heh

[brvheart 1,768]

You really like making assumptions about stuff.*

 

So we'll just agree to disagree. Asking for a 60 vote majority and threatening a filibuster is the same as a filibuster from now on.

 

You mentioned that the GOP does it more, which is kindof a weird argument against my statement that both sides do it. I mean, I feel like you hate the GOP so badly that you're building all these strawmen that I'm not even mentioning. I never commented on frequency. I just commented on the fact that both sides do it, which you confirmed. I don't think there is any reason to fight about this stuff.

 

 

 

*ps, Your assumption that I'm a young earth creationist is also incorrect.

[JubilantLankyLad 1,960]

You really like making assumptions about stuff.*

 

So we'll just agree to disagree. Asking for a 60 vote majority and threatening a filibuster is the same as a filibuster from now on.

 

 

 

*ps, Your assumption that I'm a young earth creationist is also incorrect.

 

You assume that I assume you to be a YEC. I said no such thing. I would be interested to know what else you feel I'm assuming. I also would like you to expand on the bolded because I don't understand your point or the relevance of your statement, and wouldn't want to assume.

[brvheart 1,768]

Then again, maybe you don't know what a filibuster actually is. Maybe you think it makes sense to make it harder to pass a bill that you want to pass. Maybe the same logic explains why God put million year old fossils on a 10,000 year old planet. Maybe you're trolling. For the sakes of little Jimmy, and Susie, and David, and Mary, and John Jr, and Francis, and Joseph, and Sarah, and Beth, and Deborah, and Peter, and Ruth, and Patrick, and Maggie, and Turbo, I hope so.

[brvheart 1,768]

It's not common. Prior to the 70s it was very UNcommon

 

I'm not sure what you're saying here. Are you saying it's not common now or that it wasn't common then?

 

It's definitely common now, which is what I was talking about.

 

http://blog.constitu...ing-the-senate/

[JubilantLankyLad 1,960]

I'm not sure what you're saying here. Are you saying it's not common now or that it wasn't common then?

 

It's definitely common now, which is what I was talking about.

 

http://blog.constitu...ing-the-senate/

Yes, agreed. Very uncommon 40 years ago, still fairly rare until 4 years ago, almost non-stop since then. Uncommon in the history of the senate as a whole (even in our lifetimes), but I suppose you could say common now. I prefer 'abused' but whatever. Again, from your link (and contradicting McConnell) "Nowhere in the Constitution is there a requirement that, to get anything controversial done in the Senate, the votes of 60 senators are necessary."

 

And I'm not sure what your other response means. I made no definitive statements, so surely you're not assuming what I meant? I mean, I included "maybe" in there very clearly. (I'm being facetious in general, but honestly, I don't understand what you're trying to say with bolded earlier or with my quote).

[JubilantLankyLad 1,960]

You really like making assumptions about stuff.*

 

So we'll just agree to disagree. Asking for a 60 vote majority and threatening a filibuster is the same as a filibuster from now on.

 

You mentioned that the GOP does it more, which is kindof a weird argument against my statement that both sides do it. I mean, I feel like you hate the GOP so badly that you're building all these strawmen that I'm not even mentioning. I never commented on frequency. I just commented on the fact that both sides do it, which you confirmed. I don't think there is any reason to fight about this stuff.

 

 

 

*ps, Your assumption that I'm a young earth creationist is also incorrect.

Wait, when did you edit this?

 

The frequency thing is not particularly germane to the fact that McConnell filibustered himself (self-filibustering certainly isn't gopsop). But you seem to think that Reid did so here too, when he didn't.

 

I don't hate the GOP, really. I would have voted for them as recently as 2000. Maybe even in 2004 (but probably not). But as a party they are not acting like mature, responsible adults right now. You have kids (14+1 at my last count) - when they screw up, you get disappointed in them and want them to do better. It doesn't mean you hate them.

[JubilantLankyLad 1,960]

Except there is a difference between delaying the vote on a piece of legislation that you offered in good faith in order to try and ensure its passage, and stopping the vote on a piece of legislation that you suggested but had no desire or intention of actually trying to enact.

^^^

 

The crux of my argument: the GOP is, in general, not acting in good faith.

[JustDoIt 10]

^^^

 

The crux of my argument: the GOP is, in general, not acting in good faith.

 

And of course this is acting in good faith.

 

President Obama offered Republicans a detailed plan Thursday for averting the year-end “fiscal cliff” that calls for $1.6 trillion in new taxes, $50 billion in fresh spending on the economy and an effective end to congressional control over the size of the national debt.

 

http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/fiscal-cliff-talks-bogged-down-by-dispute-over-cost-of-retirement-programs/2012/11/29/99022ac0-3a2e-11e2-b01f-5f55b193f58f_story.html

[JubilantLankyLad 1,960]

I just commented on the fact that both sides do it, which you confirmed. I don't think there is any reason to fight about this stuff.

This came up on reddit by coincidence this morning. I'd be interested in hearing your rebuttal.

 

http://www.politicususa.com/block-blame-successful-republican-filibuster-strategy.html

[FCP Bob 1,323]

Mitch McConnell filibusters his own bill.

 

Jon Stewart is going to have a lot of fun with this I think.

 

http://takingnote.bl...mself-so-do-we/

 

and Jon Stewart did have a lot of fun

 

http://www.thedailyshow.com/watch/mon-december-10-2012/mitch-mcconnell-s-self-filibuster?xrs=synd_twitter

[Balloon guy 158]

Dems ask for a delay in a medical tax that they voted for

 

I'm sure Stewart will have a lot of fun with this too........or not.

[CaneBrain 97]

Yeah those are the same.

[colonel Feathers 5]

Yeah those are the same.

I admire a man of few words. Concise and to the point.

 

Im guessing your area of legal expertise is not in copyright infringement.

[Balloon guy 158]

The military is trying their hardest to be PC

[FCP Bob 1,323]

ian bremmer‏@ianbremmer

Today in two schools: Man with knife injures 22 in China. Man with semiautomatic kills 28 in Connecticut.

[ShakeZuma 586]

yes let's emulate our rights after china

[FCP Bob 1,323]

yes let's emulate our rights after china

 

how about Japan

 

http://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2012/07/a-land-without-guns-how-japan-has-virtually-eliminated-shooting-deaths/260189/

[Balloon guy 158]

how about Japan

 

http://www.theatlant...-deaths/260189/

 

Did not realize that the Yakuza, with >80,000 members, had turned in their guns.

 

Oh..you mean that the law abiding people are without weapons...ya, got it.

[FCP Bob 1,323]

This pretty much sums how I feel.

 

http://www.theonion.com/articles/****-everything-nation-reports,30743/?utm_source=Twitter&utm_medium=SocialMarketing&utm_campaign=standard-post:headline:default

[LongLiveYorke 38]

This happened pretty close to my hometown, and I have a cousin who apparently had the mother as a customer.

 

I don't know if it's the age of the victims or the proximity to where I live, but this one is really, really thought to take.

[SuperJon 175]

I can't even comprehend how someone could ever take the life of a child, especially in this manner. Not to turn this into a political debate, but I did hear something on Fox News that really pissed me off yesterday.

 

Some blonde bitch had the nerve to say, "The one good thing about this, is that children are resilient..." Really? "The one good thing?" There is absolutely nothing good about this situation.

 

I'm sure other people on other stations, regardless of political affiliation, said some dumb things as well. This one just really stood out to me.

[QED 4]

The news coverage was pretty vile, anyone that thought it was a good idea to interview kids coming out of the school should be fired.