Shorter Frist: Single judicial filibusters are constitutional, but judicial filibusters of more-than-one judge is not. This morning on the floor of the Senate, Sen. Chuck Schumer asked Majority Leader Bill Frist a simple question: SEN. SCHUMER: Isn’t it correct that on March 8, 2000, my colleague [Sen. Frist] voted to uphold the filibuster of Judge Richard Paez? Here was Frist’s … Read More
In My Neck Of The Woods
WAYNESVILLE, N.C. — A pastor of a small Baptist church led an effort to kick out church members because they didn’t support President Bush, members said. The nine members were voted out at a Monday meeting of the East Waynesville Baptist Church in this mountain town about 120 miles west of Charlotte. WLOS-TV in Asheville reported that 40 other members … Read More
Dictating Moral Convictions
Log Cabin Republican Andrew Sullivan speaks out about the mindset of the religious right: "However, on religious issues there can be little or no compromise. There is no position on which people are so immovable as their religious beliefs. There is no more powerful ally one can claim in a debate than Jesus Christ, or God, or Allah, or whatever … Read More
IOKIYAR
Digby posts about the "It’s Okay If You’re A Republican" phenomenon, and hits the nail on the head. I’ve boldened the best bits . . . Matt Yglesias wonders why the Republicans have been so blase about nominees lying outright to the Senate during their confirmation hearings when they may very well be at the mercy of Democrats in the … Read More
Oh, the Irony!
"The time has come that the American people know exactly what their representatives are doing here in Washington. Are they feeding at the public trough, taking lobbyist-paid vacations, getting wined and dined by special-interest groups? Or are they working hard to represent their constituents? The people, the American people, have a right to know. I say the best disinfectant is … Read More
Dumb DeLay Quote Du Jour
Amazingly, Tom DeLay is going after Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy. Apparently, DeLay is ignorant of the fact that Kennedy was a Reagan appointtee, and while occasionally a "swing vote", he is undisputably right-of-center. But DeLay really steps in the steamy hot Texas cow manure when he says this: “We’ve got Justice Kennedy writing decisions based upon international law, not … Read More
Viva Voinovich!
Credit should be given where credit is due. It is not often when a politician — especially a Republican — especially a House Republican — goes against his party and acts on his conscience. I’m still skeptical about the likelihood that Bolton’s nomination can be stopped, but it sure is nice to see a guy like Voinovich (R-OH) have the … Read More
Why Bolton Should Not Be Confirmed
From WaPo: Bolton Often Blocked Information, Officials Say Iran, IAEA Matters Were Allegedly Kept From Rice, Powell By Dafna Linzer Washington Post Staff WriterMonday, April 18, 2005; Page A04 John R. Bolton — who is seeking confirmation as the next U.S. ambassador to the United Nations — often blocked then-Secretary of State Colin L. Powell and, on one occasion, his … Read More
Why Do Republicans Hate America?
From here: WASHINGTON – Republicans on Tuesday beat back a Democratic attempt to provide almost $2 billion in additional health care funding for veterans, rejecting claims that Veterans Affairs hospitals are in crisis. The proposal was part of an $80.6 billion emergency spending bill for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and other costs. The bill would give President Bush … Read More
Tom DeLay Hates That You Have Privacy
He also doesn’t care for separation of church and state (should we start taxing churches, Tom?), or judicial review. He even admits it, in this interview with the Moonie-owned Washington Times: WASHINGTON TIMES: You’ve recently said you blame Congress for not being zealous in oversight. MR. DeLAY: Not zealous. I blame Congress over the last 50 to 100 years for … Read More
I’ll Take That As A “Yes”
From DeLay’s press roundtable yesterday: Mr. Hurt: Have you ever crossed the line of ethical behavior in terms of dealing with lobbyists, your use of government authority or with fundraising? Mr. DeLay: "Ever" is a very strong word.
Blind Eye
Instapundit notes this list of members of Congress who have family members on the payroll and concludes "Seems like a bipartisan sport." Yes, Glenn, you dolt. A few people of BOTH parties do it, and (as many have pointed out) there’s nothing illegal about it, especially if they do actual work (bookkeeping, etc.). That’s not the point. The point is … Read More
Conservatives Scare Me Sometimes
Read this, from Kevin Drum: FRINGE WATCH….Dana Milbank reports today on the escalating rhetoric at a recent conservative conference about out-of-control judges. First came Phyllis Schlafly, suggesting that Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy ought to be impeached. Up next was Michael Farris, who said that not only should Kennedy be impeached, but so should anyone who voted against impeaching him. … Read More
How It Happens
Day #1: A reader to PowerBlog writes a comment: I am so sick of liberals talking about "separation of church and state". I finally went to the Constitution to see if I can find the phrase. What I found was much more startling. The Constitution is full of spelling errors! Has anyone noticed this? — Jason S., Dubuque, IA Day … Read More
Republicans Want Democrats to Stop Republicans
From the Wall Street Journal‘s article on the fragmentation and destruction of the Republican Party: One-third of Republicans say Democrats in Congress should prevent Mr. Bush and party leaders from "going too far in pushing their agenda"… Republicans want Democrats to stop Bush and the Republicans in Congress? Well, sure, but next time . . . think before you vote, … Read More