Friday, February 22, 2013

Congress at Work?

Congress.org (congress.org) presents:  MEGAVOTE for February 19, 2013
In this MegaVote for Georgia's 13th Congressional District:

Recent Congressional Votes
  • Senate: Gender-based Violence Prevention  Final Passage
  • Senate: Defense Secretary Nomination  Cloture
  • House: Disaster Aid for Houses of Worship  Suspension
  • House: Hydropower Regulation  Suspension
  • House: Federal Pay Freeze Extension  Final Passage
  • House: North Korea Nuclear Test
The House and Senate are in recess until Monday, February 25.
GOOD, they wont be creating inventive new ways to spend more money. 

Recent Senate Votes:

Gender-based Violence Prevention  Final Passage
Vote Passed (78-22)
The Senate passed a comprehensive re-authorization of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) last week, including a controversial provision that grants expanded authority to tribal courts over non-American Indian offenders. The bill would also expand protections for LGBT victims. VAWA consists of a variety of grant programs to state and local law enforcement agencies and service organizations that specialize in treating victims of such crimes as rape, domestic violence, and stalking. S. 47 extends VAWA for five years. The Senate debated several amendments to the bill, notably defeating a proposal from Oklahoma Republican Tom Coburn to remove the expanded tribal court authority (Roll Call 14 ). Judiciary Chairman Pat Leahy of Vermont successfully attached a four-year extension of anti-human trafficking measures to the overall bill (Roll Call 15). House leaders have been vague about their plans regarding the legislation, which expired last year amid disagreement between the two chambers. President Obama supports the Senate bill.
Sen. Saxby Chambliss voted YES
Sen. Johnny Isakson voted YES
Whatever, now we are growing the power of the Indian nations within our borders.  I suspect that Senator Tom Coburn was resistant to the expansion because he knows there will be trouble reaching out from the Cherokee reservations in his state. Have said it before and will say it again, special protections amount to preference under the law.  Things like this make people unequal in court.  

Defense Secretary Nomination  Cloture
Vote Rejected (58-40, 1 Present, 1 Not Voting)
One of the more contentious nomination fights in recent memory was dragged into the Presidents Day recess when the Senate failed to invoke cloture on Chuck Hagels bid to become Defense Secretary. The former Republican senator from Nebraska endured a withering confirmation hearing on January 31 , during which he was grilled for hours by fellow Republicans on a narrow range of issues, particularly Israel and Iran. The nomination passed out of the Armed Services Committee February 12 on a straight party-line vote, and Reid attempted to end debate two days later. Several Republican senators, including John McCain, Lindsey Graham and Lamar Alexander stated that they would not vote for cloture that day but would following the recess (though they would ultimately oppose the nomination). After extended back and forth about whether the Republicans were filibustering Hagel by essentially requiring 60 votes to confirm him, the cloture vote failed. Four Republicans Susan Collins, Thad Cochran, Mike Johanns and Lisa Murkowski  joined all Democrats and independents Angus King and Bernie Sanders in supporting the motion. Republican Orrin Hatch of Utah voted present, which in this instance had the same effect as a no vote.
Sen. Saxby Chambliss voted NO
Sen. Johnny Isakson voted NO
I think Hagel is pretty much the type of weasel the President likes, he's on record as being a detractor  of Israel, he'll pretend that the on team and then when decisions are to be made the true colors will show.  

Recent House Votes:

Disaster Aid for Houses of Worship  Suspension
Vote Passed (354-72, 5 Not Voting)
This bill would expand the definition of private non-profit facilities eligible for federal disaster funding to include houses of worship such as churches and synagogues. Many such buildings were damaged by Hurricane Sandy, which brought the issue to lawmakers attention.
Rep. David Scott voted YES
Reaction to Federal bureaucrats  withholding help to those who help.  The sooner we get rid of the folks clinging to their religion, the sooner the kindness of the socialist vision can be the guiding light. I agree with Congressman Scott's vote on this bill.

Hydropower Regulation  Suspension
Vote Passed (422-0, 9 Not Voting)
The House unanimously supported this measure to streamline permitting and regulation of hydropower facilities.
Rep. David Scott voted YES
It's about freaking time.  This is a field in which my business is involved, and I well know of some moronic decisions which were the result of moronic, short sighted regulations.  My fear here is, based on experience, that they are no more skilled at creating new regulations than they were the old. I agree with Congressman Scott's vote on this bill.

Federal Pay Freeze Extension Final Passage
Vote Passed (261-154, 16 Not Voting)
Acting to head off a scheduled cost-of-living-adjustment for federal civilian employees, the House extended the freeze on their pay through the end of the calendar year. Military pay is not affected by the bill.
Rep. David Scott voted NO
Notice how the military is excluded, the sniffling little bastards don't have the courage to go there.  In general, I think that Federal wages have expanded at an advanced rate in comparison to the rest of the economy for the last two decades, a little choking of the pipeline would do the system some good. I do not agree with Congressman Scott's vote on this bill.

North Korea Nuclear Test
Vote Passed (412-2, 17 Not Voting)
Responding to a nuclear test conducted by the secretive Kim Jong-un regime in North Korea , the House passed a resolution condemning the act and calling for a new round of sanctions. Libertarian Republicans Justin Amash of Michigan and Thomas Massie of Kentucky cast the only no votes.
Rep. David Scott voted YES
Who really gives a crap what the House of Representatives has to say on this subject.  Sanctions don't mean shit to North Korea, when they have proven that all they have to due is wave flag hinting at cooperation and the sitting US President will send them food, oil or relief of sanctions.  I do not really care one bit how Congressman Scott's vote went on this bill, the whole damned thing is superfluous and a waste of time  that could be spend hammering out a budget that folks can agree on. Stop wasting time you turkeys!

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Wednesday, February 20, 2013

God is Good, Excuse Me, a Guy

Thank you Miss Lily....

A man on his Harley was riding along a California beach when suddenly the sky clouded above his head and, in a booming voice, God said, "Because you have tried to be faithful to me in all ways, I will grant you one wish."

The biker pulled over and said, "Build a bridge to Hawaii so I can ride over anytime I want."

God replied, "Your request is materialistic; think of the enormous challenges for that kind of undertaking; the supports required reaching the bottom of the Pacific and the concrete and steel it would take! I can do it, but it is hard for me to justify your desire for worldly things. Take a little more time and think of something that could possibly help mankind."

The biker thought about it for a long time. Finally, he said, "God, I wish that I, and all men, could understand women; I want to know how she feels inside, what she's thinking when she gives me the silent treatment, why she cries, what she means when she says nothing's wrong, why she snaps and complains when I try to help,
and how I can make a woman truly happy."

God replied:
"You want two lanes or four on that bridge...?"

Monday, February 18, 2013

Global Warming Protesters Brave Frigid Temps

Funny stuff, make sure you wear your mittens.

"The Lid": IRONY ALERT! Protesters Brave Frigid Temps to Figh...:

Sometimes pictures are great at showing the irony of a situation. Thousands of global warming moonbats braved the frigid cold yesterday...


Child Uses Rifle to Scare off Home Invaders


A well spoken 11 Year old, has been taught how to load and handle a weapon.
Alyssa Gutierrez of Albuquerque New Mexico heard intruders trying to break in, went to her mother's room, loaded a small rifle design for women, hid from view and waited for the police who arrived immediately on site.
I am glad she has enough sense not to fire unless necessary.
I am glad she avoided the pain of injuring a person, whether they deserved it or not.

Child Uses Rifle to Scare off Home Invaders: National Media Silent


Tuesday, February 12, 2013

Congressional Progress (sic)

Congress.org (congress.org) presents:  MEGAVOTE February 11, 2013
In this MegaVote for Georgia's 13th Congressional District:
Recent Congressional Votes:
  • Senate: Gender-based Violence Prevention - Substitute Amendment
  • House: Budget Submission Requirement - Final Passage
Upcoming Congressional Bills:
  • Senate: Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2013
  • House: To eliminate the 2013 statutory pay adjustment for civilian federal employees.
  • House: To amend the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act
Recent Senate Votes:

Gender-based Violence Prevention - Substitute Amendment
Vote Rejected (34-65, 1 Not Voting)
The Senate began action last week on its renewed effort to reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act, a panoply of initiatives designed to combat such crimes as domestic violence and sexual assault and to provide assistance to state and local law enforcement. Both chambers of Congress passed reauthorization bills last year, but were never able to resolve various differences. One major hurdle, the creation of new visas for immigrant victims of domestic violence, has been stripped from this year’s version of the Senate bill. The other large sticking point, however, remains - Senate language that would give Indian tribes expanded police and judicial jurisdiction over non-Indian sex offenders who commit crimes on tribal land. Senate proponents contend the provision is a practical response to the reality that the nearest law enforcement authorities are often located hours away from tribal lands, making it very difficult to adequately police non-Indian offenders. Opponents are wary of potential constitutional issues raised by the provision. Regardless, the bill looks to be sailing toward passage in the Senate. The motion to proceed was agreed to by an overwhelming 85-8 margin (Roll Call Number 12) last Monday, February 4. Several days later, Chuck Grassley of Iowa, ranking Republican on the Judiciary Committee, offered a substitute bill supported by his conference. The Grassley substitute made several changes, including to the Indian language. Its margin of defeat - 34 to 65, with ten Republicans joining all Democrats and independents - indicates the strength of the bills support. The president has not taken a position on the current bill, though he supported last years Senate bill. The House has not yet taken action to move a reauthorization.
Sen. Saxby Chambliss voted YES
Sen. Johnny Isakson voted YES
I had to look up the word, panoply; Merriam-Webster says that it is “a magnificent or impressive array”, what a nice word.   My stand on any law that applies different standards to different groups is that they are wrong.  But the argument here is not that, this is Senators arguing over which special applications are going to be put into law. It’s all crap, and don’t try to tell I don’t care about the oppressed, I would and do help people in need in the manner of my choice.

Recent House Votes:

Budget Submission Requirement - Final Passage
Vote Passed (253-167, 11 Not Voting)
House Republican leadership has vowed to complete a budget document this year that achieves balance within a decade. Last week the House passed a bill that would hold the President to the same requirement. The Require a PLAN Act would mandate that, if President Obamas FY2014 budget - which, the bills findings section notes, is expected to be (and indeed was) late - does not achieve balance at any point within its ten-year window, a new budget that does project balance must be submitted by April 1. The bill is not expected to be taken up by the Senate, but - along with the No Budget, No Pay Act that was recently signed into law - it does allow House Republicans to position themselves as the group in Washington most concerned with taming the deficit.
Rep. David Scott voted Not Voting
What surprises me on this vote is that Representative Scott did not vote with the minority position.  My guess is that he agrees with the principle of the plan.
In my opinion, this is a symbolic vote.  The President has no intention of submitting a valid budget and the Senate will never allow one to come to a vote.  The House Republican’s are portrayed as being over zealous on debt control, which is true if barking like a little dog counts as tough, in the end their weakness always erodes through when the President calls their hand.  No Boehner, I do not believe that bullshit posture that you’re playing it smart and will win in the end.

Upcoming Votes:

Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2013 - S.47
The Senate will continue debate on the bill starting Monday, February 11. Six debates are scheduled for consideration including one by Oklahoma Republican Tom Coburn that would remove the Indian tribal court provision. Final passage is expected later in the week. 
Republicans pandering to the same women who in the end have their voices dominated by the feminists of the Democratic party.  You can pretend you have a shot, you might even actually care about what you debate, but in the end, no matter what you accomplish you will be vilified with prejudice and ignorance.

To eliminate the 2013 statutory pay adjustment for civilian federal employees. - H.R.273
Federal civilian workers have been living under a pay freeze for several years will be able to receive a 0.5 percent cost of living adjustment upon expiration of the current Continuing Resolution governing federal spending, which runs through March 27. This bill would continue the pay freeze through the end of 2013.
A friend just became a Federal employee; it seems that the profit is in the expenses.

To amend the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act - H.R.592
This bill would clarify that houses of worship are eligible for certain disaster relief and emergency assistance on terms equal to other eligible private nonprofit facilities.
I hope to read about this later, is likely a reaction to actions of an overzealous bureaucrat.

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Monday, February 11, 2013

Get The Privilege To Meet Her!

When I hear and read about mail order brides, this is not what comes to mind.
I think of Natasha in the Rocky and Bullwinkle cartoons.


Premium dating portal, that's rich.
The things you find in your junk mail folder.
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I Think So

My own beliefs are evolving, but I am reading the Bible, and am about half the way through.
Found this link at Grouchy Old Cripple, and in reading the comments of his other readers find that I am in one of the lower performance groups.



So while I ride the short bus to Sunday school, I know more than an Atheist.
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Friday, February 8, 2013

Exit Stage Left

Why can't we trust them?
In the late sixties scientists were predicting the next ice age.
Snagglepuss had it right.

Don't worry it's going to miss by a couple of miles.
Anyone happening to glance towards the heavens in a week's time and glimpses a 50-metre-long lump of rock hurtling ominously through the skies need not panic.
To clarify, they are really talking about 17,100 miles.

Don’t Worry About That Asteroid Hurtling Toward Earth, Say the Scientific Experts Who Are Always Right About Everything


Thursday, February 7, 2013

Georgia at Work

Copied from an email from the NRA Institute for Legal Action....

Two NRA-backed bills of importance to Georgia gun owners, sportsmen and Second Amendment supporters, were introduced this week:

Senate Bill 101, sponsored by state Senator Frank Ginn (R-47), was introduced and referred to the Senate Judiciary Non-Civil Committee for consideration. This comprehensive bill takes steps to ensure protection and fortification of our Second Amendment rights. SB 101, if passed and enacted into law, would make the following changes:
  • Repeals the state licensing requirement for Federal Firearm License (FFL) holders. These lawful dealers are already subject to extensive federal oversight and state law only imposes unnecessary and duplicative administrative fees and requirements.
  • Prohibits public housing authorities in Georgia from prohibiting or restricting a tenant from lawfully owning or possessing a firearm. This would ensure that citizens who reside in public housing are treated fairly under the law and afforded the same opportunity to exercise their constitutional right to self-defense as citizens who own or rent their own homes.
  • Grants full recognition to a person licensed to carry a handgun in any other state to carry in compliance with state law while visiting Georgia. This legislation would ensure that the right to self-defense does not end at the Georgia state line.

Senate Bill 93, sponsored by Senator Bill Heath (R-31), was introduced and referred to the Senate Natural Resources and the Environment Committee for consideration. SB 93 would allow hunters in Georgia to use lawfully-possessed suppressors (also referred to as silencers) on firearms while hunting.

Currently, more than half of the states allow hunters to use suppressors while hunting. There are numerous benefits to hunting with suppressed firearms, including:
  • Increased use of suppressors will help to eliminate noise complaints that are frequently an excuse to close hunting lands throughout the country. This will protect hunting areas well into the future.
  • Using a suppressor while hunting will reduce recoil and muzzle rise to help increase the accuracy of hunters. More accurate shooting in the field means fewer wounded and lost animals--a good thing for hunters and wildlife.
  • Hearing protection is not necessary with suppressed gunfire, so hunters will be able to protect their long-term hearing. Hunters often fail to use ear plugs or similar devices in many field applications, creating permanent hearing damage and tinnitus.

Recently, Arizona, Oklahoma and Texas adopted new rules allowing for use of suppressors when hunting game. It’s time that hunters in Georgia are able to enjoy the same opportunities available to sportsmen in more than half of the country. For

SB 101 and SB 93 are critical to your Right to Keep and Bear Arms and hunting heritage in Georgia. Contact your state Senator TODAY and urge him or her to support this NRA-backed legislation.

I have much more interest in seeing SB 101 succeeding as it addresses some practical issues surrounding carry permits and the boundaries between personal needs and public rule.  As for the suppression bill, it's a good practical for hunters, but I can also see how law enforcement persons would have a problem with the equipment. My tinnitus comes by way of duck hunting with 12 gauge shotguns, there is no suppression for that.   
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Hard at Work (sic)

Comments added are in italic bluuuuuue.....

Congress.org (congress.org) presents: MEGAVOTE February 4, 2013

In this MegaVote for Georgia's 13th Congressional District:

Recent Congressional Votes
* Senate: Temporary Suspension of Debt Limit  Final Passage
* Senate: Disaster Relief  Final Passage
* Senate: Secretary of State Confirmation

Upcoming Congressional Bills -
* Senate: Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2013
* House: Require a PLAN Act

Recent Senate Votes:

Temporary Suspension of Debt Limit  Final Passage
http://capwiz.com/congressorg/issues/votes/?votenum=11&chamber=S&congress=1131
Vote Passed (64-34, 2 Not Voting)
The federal debt limit will have no force or effect until May 19, thanks to Senate action last week to clear a House-passed measure for President Obamas signature. In addition to suspending the debt limit, the bill commits the Senate (and the House) to passing a budget resolution for the first time in four years, under pain of its members having their paychecks withheld. Before the bill could pass, Democrats had to table several Republican amendments from Rob Portman of Ohio, Pat Toomey of Pennsylvania, Rand Paul of Kentucky and David Vitter of Louisiana (Roll Call Votes 6-10). Portman offered two amendments: the first would have require that any bill to raise the debt limit include non-interest spending cuts of an equal or greater amount;  the second would have cut discretionary spending by one percent every three or four months if Congress does not agree to a budget resolution by October 1, 2013. Toomeys amendment would have prioritized certain accounts for receipt of payment in the event Congress did not raise the debt limit, placing debt interest, Social Security and military personnel at the front of the line. The Paul amendment would have banned the transfer of certain weapons systems such F-16 fighter jets to Egypt. The Vitter amendment would have introduced spending cuts to the bill. All but the Paul amendment, which had very little support, split the Senate exactly along party lines. Democrats rejected each amendment unanimously except the second Portman amendment, which attracted the support of Kay Hagan (N.C.), Claire McCaskill (Mo.) and Jon Tester (Mont.).
Sen. Saxby Chambliss voted NO
Sen. Johnny Isakson voted NO
Portman's amendments, the first one at least is a feeble stab making financial choices balance. Feeble not in the concept, but in the resolve of politicians that are incapable of saying no to anything that might get them criticized. I like the suggestion and sorry that the Democrats tabled them.   

Disaster Relief  Final Passage
http://capwiz.com/congressorg/issues/votes/?votenum=4&chamber=S&congress=1131
Vote Passed (62-36, 2 Not Voting)
Relief for the victims of Hurricane Sandy cleared Congress last week, almost exactly three months after the storm devastated coastal communities in New York and New Jersey. After defeating an amendment from Republican Mike Lee of Utah that would have offset the bills cost with a 0.49 percent across-the-board spending cut (Roll Call Number 3), the upper chamber just managed to clear the 60-vote threshold leadership had agreed to set for passage of the bill. All told, the package contains $50.5 billion, to be disbursed through programs in the Federal Emergency Management Agency, Department of Housing and Urban Development, Department of Health and Human Services, and Army Corps of Engineers, among others. All but $5.4 billion of this amount is designated as emergency spending, meaning it does not apply to discretionary budgetary caps set by the 2011 debt ceiling agreement. 
Sen. Saxby Chambliss voted NO
Sen. Johnny Isakson voted NO
Saxby is now immune to the threat of being criticized for being unkind to Yankees. The Republicans had just cause for resisting as the bill is loaded up with pork. Senator Isakson's vote is more pleasing because it involves some risk.  Thank you.

Secretary of State Confirmation
http://capwiz.com/congressorg/issues/votes/?votenum=5&chamber=S&congress=1131
Vote Confirmed (94-3, 1 Present, 2 Not Voting)
The senior Senator from Massachusetts, Democrat John Kerry, was confirmed as the 68th Secretary of State last week.  Kerry received near-unanimous support from his colleagues, the only dissenters being Republicans John Cornyn and Ted Cruz of Texas and Jim Inhofe of Oklahoma. Kerry officially took over from Hillary Rodham Clinton on Friday, February 1.
Sen. Saxby Chambliss voted YES
Sen. Johnny Isakson voted YES
There was little doubt where this vote was headed.  For myself I am disappointed because of personal experience I consider Kerry to be a line cutting elitist.  Lest anyone forget, this man testified in Congress against the armed forces of the United States.  

Upcoming Votes:
Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2013 - S.47
The Senate will begin debate on a reauthorization for the Violence Against Women Act, which stalled last year amidst disagreement between the House and Senate. This bill is virtually identical to the one the Senate passed last year and is co-sponsored by 59 senators in addition to Judiciary Chairman Patrick J. Leahy of Vermont. A vote on the motion to proceed to the measure is scheduled for Monday, Feburary 4.
Forgive me, but isn't violence against people illegal and immoral?  Why do we need more laws to affirm what is already forbidden?

Require a PLAN Act - H.R.444
The House is expected to consider and pass a bill that would require the president to submit a FY 2014 budget that achieves balance within the documents 10-year timeframe. (The "PLAN" in the bills title stands for "Presidential Leadership and No Deficits.")
aka BULLSHIT  

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Wednesday, February 6, 2013

You Can Judge By Appearances

Look what the deleted folder produced. 
An invitation to get some government subsidized green energy gadgets. 

When studying closely, it seems that the emblem in the top left looks strangely familiar. The logo has a distinct resemblance to the flag.


This is the logo used for the 2008 and 2012 presidential campaigns of Barack Obama.


Which also reminds me that my favorite bank (NOT) is also on the cheek smootching bandwagon.


Well, enough of the pictorial comparisons, the fact that some corporations are all to eager to show their support of the president is well known, accepted and augmented by mainstream media.  Decided to follow the links to see what was being offered and look at the result.

The company malware protection program is blocking access to the URL. Not unlike the Solyndra debacle, endorsed by the big man, and a total scam.
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Tuesday, February 5, 2013

Sunday, February 3, 2013

Smothered Poke Chops

MoveOn is at it again, their  emails often have titles that talk about how stupid conservatives are.
Do you see the irony in the title of this email link?
Abortion clinics smother the life of unborn children.
Some politicians, on behalf of many citizens seek to constrict the dark arm of Planned Parenthood.
Rachel, with her anemic little show, is more concerned with the life of a business, than the life of children.

Glock Blocked

Not really, but this is an interesting turn that I experienced using my employer's computer. I wanted to buy an NRA patch for my motorcycle vest, thought it might be a cool addition. Using a link  found on one of the zillions of NRA emails received asking for money, I was able to access the NRA site, but when I chose the NRA site store link, this is the blocking message received.
I respect my employer's right to control the use of their equipment. But why allow access to the site, and then block the store?
By the way, the company has a policy that says you cannot have a firearm in your vehicle. Not including my car, a search of vehicles in the parking lot would yield at least ten firearms.
There is a bill being offered in the state of Georgia that would make it legal for citizens to keep firearms in their personal vehicles.

Friday, February 1, 2013

Hillary’s Dismal Record At State

Many folks do not care for Hillary Clinton, for myself, I think that she would have been a far superior President that what we have.  Dick Morris knows the Clinton family well, when he has something to say about Secretary Clinton, I pay attention. These points are made.
  • Chavez now controls Argentina, Bolivia, Nicaragua, El Salvador, and Ecuador as well as Venezuela and has big influence in Brazil. He is providing a base for Iran to move into the hemisphere.
  • Russia has become more repressive and aggressive. Democracy advocates are more subject to arrest and torture and nothing has come of the “reset” except more appeasement.
  • The Ukraine has drifted closer to Russia and further away from the West.
  • Iran is much closer to having the bomb and likely using it against Israel.
  • We’ve lost Egypt and Islamist power is sweeping the Arab world. The singular achievement of American Mid East diplomacy over the past fifty years — the Camp David Accords — are being undone as we speak.
  • North Korea gets ever more brazen, has become a nuclear power, and now has put a satellite into orbit.
  • China still weakens its currency making our products too expensive there and theirs’ cheaper here. And it launches cyber attacks against institutions like the New York Times with total impunity.
  • The Islamist offensive in sub-Sahara Africa gains momentum.
  • Afghanistan is no closer to putting down the Taliban, is still one of the most corrupt of the world’s governments, and Pakistan’s collaboration with al Qaeda grows more and more evident.

He then goes on to describe her dismiss involvement in the Benghazi debacle, cover up and all.
Pay attention he knows this woman well.

Hillary’s Dismal Record At State


Congress at Work (sic)

Congress.org (congress.org) presents:  MEGAVOTE  for January 28, 2013
In this MegaVote for Georgia's 13th Congressional District:
Recent Congressional Votes:
  • Senate: Temporary Rules Changes
  • Senate: Permanent Rules Changes
  • House: Short-Term Suspension of Debt Limit Final Passage
Upcoming Congressional Bills:
  • Senate: Disaster Relief Appropriations Act, 2013
  • Senate: To ensure the complete and timely payment of the obligations of the United States Government until May 19, 2013, and for other purposes.
The House is in Recess until Monday, February 4.
Recent Senate Votes:
Temporary Rules Changes
Vote Agreed to (78-16, 6 Not Voting)
The only action in the Senate last week focused on the upper chamber's internal rules. There has been much bitter recrimination between majority Democrats and minority Republicans in recent years over a general lack of productivity, which the majority blames on obstruction - mostly in the form of a geometric increase in usage of the filibuster - and the minority blames on stonewalling, mostly in the form of Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada "filling the amendment tree" on bills brought to the floor, thereby preventing Republicans (or anyone else, for that matter) from offering amendments. A group of Democrats led by Tom Udall of New Mexico and Jeff Merkley of Oregon had been pushing a return to the "talking" filibuster of Mr. Smith Goes to Washington fame, which they claimed could be pushed through with a simple majority of 51 votes at the beginning of the 113th Congress. Udall and Merkley (and most other Democrats) deemed this the "constitutional" option, since nowhere in the Constitution does it state that the Senate should operate under anything but majority rule except in rare circumstances such impeachment of a president and approving treaties. Republicans dubbed the Merkley/Udall proposal the "nuclear" option, claiming it would completely destroy what was left of the body's traditional comity and leave the minority little choice but to engage in parliamentary guerrilla war to have a voice in the chamber. In the event, the nuclear button was not pushed, and what changes occurred last week will mostly tinker around the edges. Senators cast two votes, the first on a temporary rules change applicable only in the 113th Congress. The biggest effect of the change would be to limit the ability to filibuster the motion to proceed, which is a procedural hurdle that must be leapt in order to consider a bill on the floor. If the two leaders agree on a set of four amendments, two each from the minority and majority, debate on the motion to proceed would be limited to four hours. The other change would limit post-cloture debate time on lower-level judges and executive branch nominees.
Sen. Saxby Chambliss voted Not Voting
Sen. Johnny Isakson voted YES

I would have to agree that the fillibuster had been perverted in a way that made the application too easy for the senators. Now that Saxby Chambliss has announced he willnot be running for reelection, I suspect that this secret Democrat farmer ally will be both breaking his original election promises and happily skipping down the yellow brick road with his frient Lindsey.  While I am on old Sax, in his announcement he made the suggestion that we must find a way to elect moderate Republicans to the Senate, that to me is clear evidence that he is out of step with the people that elected him, tough nuts for you having to answer to voters every six years, it must be so difficult to in general practice, vote any damned way you want for four and then in the last two years have to feign a public conscience.

Permanent Rules Changes
Vote Agreed to (86-9, 5 Not Voting)
The second vote instituted a permanent change to the Senates rules; it also chiefly concerns the motion to proceed. Currently when the majority leader files a cloture petition in order to end debate, two days of session must pass before a cloture vote can be held and, if cloture is invoked, 30 additional hours must pass before voting on the actual matter at hand (in this case, the motion to proceed to the bill). The rules change would allow a cloture vote to be held the day after a petition is filed, if the cloture petition is signed by both the Majority and Minority Leaders and seven members each from the majority and minority. If cloture on the motion to proceed is then invoked, senators would immediately vote on the motion instead of waiting 30 hours. The other permanent rules change would condense the process for motions to go to conference with the House, reducing the number of motions needed  and thus the number of opportunities to filibuster  from three to one.
Sen. Saxby Chambliss voted Not Voting
Sen. Johnny Isakson voted YES

Old Saxby figuring that the new changes might force hime to be active on things that concern him, that or be exposed that nothing really concerns him.

Recent House Votes:
Short-Term Suspension of Debt Limit Final Passage
Vote Passed (285-144, 3 Not Voting)
The House temporarily defused a looming crisis over the debt limit last by passing a bill that, rather than raising the limit that is, setting a new cap on the federal governments borrowing authority actually suspends it meaning there technically is no limit until May 19, at which point the limit would be reset at a new, higher level, to reflect government borrowing activity in the interim period. In addition, the bill would institute an enforcement mechanism for each house of Congress to pass a FY 2014 budget resolution. Beginning April 15, if a chamber has not passed a budget, that chambers members would not receive their paychecks. This would carry on until the earlier of passage of a budget or the last day of the 113th Congress. Though House Democrats mostly decried the bill as a gimmick, President Obama has stated he will sign the bill if it reaches him.
Rep. David Scott voted YES

I think the Demcrats are correct in calling it a gimmick, what’s to stop the Republicans, led by the Grand Poobaa of Pusscators, Boehner, will back down at the sign of any serious showdown.  That Scott vote fors I have no problem.   These damned Republicans need to grow a set of balls and take the risk of the hit because if they show no backbone, they will be out in the next election. After all, if the Republicans are not making progress standing up to the Democrats why should the voters go the party that backs down from the all of these annoying cyclical cliff hangers?  Voters should simply all go for the Democrats, who will ram every freakin socialist plank up our ass, then tell us how much better we are off for it.

Upcoming Votes:
Disaster Relief Appropriations Act, 2013 - H.R.152
The Senate is scheduled to vote on the Hurricane Sandy disaster relief package on Monday, January 28, as well as an amendment from Republican Mike Lee of Utah that would offset the bill's cost with spending cuts.  To ensure the complete and timely payment of the obligations of the United States Government until May 19, 2013, and for other purposes. - H.R.325.  Majority Leader Reid has stated he will bring the House debt limit/no-budget-no-pay bill to the floor.

I thought the world was going to end if the Republicans didn’t get this through the House immediately?  Governor Christie (aka fat loud mouthed bastard), you deserve to be one of the many that gets to wait on Senator Reid (whose ancestors include horse thieves).

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