Wednesday, July 29, 2015

Good God I Hope So

Senator Ted Cruz accused Mitch McConnell of being a liar.
To me that is simply a statement of observation.
Is the GOP on the Brink of Civil War?
I say that I hope so because the leadership of the Republican Party has morphed into a wing of the Democratic Party.
Mitch McConnel and John Boehner That act as if they will take no risks before the next presidential election. This risk aversion has made them the patsy of President Obama, TPP and the Iran Agreement are perfect examples, in both situations citizens recognized that the the Senate set up self imposed restrictions that guaranteed passage of distasteful executive offerings. The Iran agreement literally created a circumvention of the Constitution, all by pretending that a treaty is not a treaty. The bar for which the President must be stopped will be a super majority vote of both houses, basically impossible.
Another explanation is that they are all on the same team, and the general public has no access.

Sunday, July 26, 2015

I Got The Vote Right Here

Its effect is so severe....
Ok, let's get started, this is about a week late and what will be coming out soon may have more than the normal amount of histrionics. This may be a low key precursor.
Congress.org presents MEGAVOTE on July 20, 2015 for Georgia's 13th Congressional District:
Recent Congressional Votes
 * Senate: No Child Left Behind Overhaul - Passage
 * House: Veterans Loans - Passage
 * House: Transportation Funding and California Drought – Passage
 * House: California Drought – Passage
Upcoming Congressional Bills
 * Senate: Hire More Heroes Act
 * House: Federal Employee Antidiscrimination Act
 * House: Safe and Accurate Food Labeling Act
Recent Senate Votes:
No Child Left Behind Overhaul - Passage Vote Passed (81-17, 2 Not Voting)
The Senate passed a bill that would reauthorize the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, the law that authorizes federal spending on kindergarten through high school. It would let states decide how to judge schools' success and wouldn't require any type of teacher evaluation. It would require states to continue testing students annually, but would leave it up to states to decide what weight those scores have when rating schools.
Sen. Johnny Isakson voted YES
Sen. David Perdue voted YES
 This sounds like its giving more control to the states Mitch, are you sure that you shouldn't check to see if President didn't like it first?
Recent House Votes:
Veterans Loans - Passage Vote Passed (410-1, 22 Not Voting)
The House agreed to a motion to suspend the rules and pass a bill that would permanently waive the guarantee fee for veterans and their spouses applying for Small Business Administration (SBA) express loans, beginning Oct. 1, 2015. The bill defines eligibility for the waiver based on the veteran status of the loan applicant, rather than whether the business is considered a veteran-owned small business.
Rep. David Scott voted YES
 Waiving fees that their own bureaucracy created, they are such good people, always looking out fot the the little guys.
Transportation Funding and California Drought – Passage Vote Passed (312-119, 2 Not Voting)
The House passed a bill that would reauthorize federal-aid highway and transit programs through Dec. 18, 2015 and would transfer $8.1 billion in funding from the Treasury to the Highway Trust Fund to cover projected trust fund shortfalls over that time. The measure completely offsets the cost of the proposed funding transfer by extending for two years the current budgetary treatment of Transportation Security Administration (TSA) fees as mandatory savings and through several tax compliance provisions.
Rep. David Scott voted YES
Sound like the approval of a lie. Designating that interdepartmental fees are classified as mandatory savings?
California Drought – Passage Vote Passed (245-176, 12 Not Voting)
The House passed a bill that would  require that more water from Northern California be pumped south for agricultural uses in the Central Valley in times of drought, and would require the Interior and Commerce departments to approve any emergency projects or operations that would quickly provide additional water to those users. The bill would also implement a coordinated environmental review process to expedite the environmental review of certain water projects, such as dams and water storage facilities.
Rep. David Scott voted YES
Expediting the review process of governmental agencies. Most of which are populated with people whose purpose supersedes the good of the general public. The damned government is the problem assholes. Stop trying to make everything better, you are only good at screwing things up.
Upcoming Votes:
Hire More Heroes Act - H.R.22
The bill would amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to exempt employees with health coverage under TRICARE or the Veterans Administration from being taken into account for purposes of determining the employers to which the employer mandate applies under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.
Another opportunity for politicians to vote for something that make them look good, expends a huge portion of energy and capital on systemic friction and delivers very little to the needy. 
Federal Employee Antidiscrimination Act - H.R.1557
The bill would amend the Notification and Federal Employee Antidiscrimination and Retaliation Act of 2002 to strengthen Federal antidiscrimination laws enforced by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and expand accountability within the Federal government, and for other purposes.
Brought to you by a government that profits from picking one group over another.
Safe and Accurate Food Labeling Act - H.R.1599
The bill would amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act with respect to food produced from, containing, or consisting of a bioengineered organism, the labeling of natural foods, and for other purposes.
Businesses are pulling some dishonest shit with their customer, but I am guess that as usual the act was probably written by food industry lobbyists and creates loopholes for the industry leaders.  We're just the pigs at the trough, gobbling up whatever crap they create.
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Friday, July 24, 2015

Raising the Visa Bar

But only for Christians.

U.S. State Dept. Bars Christians from Testifying about Persecution

By this account the Executive branch is still playing at promoting the illogical peaceful Muslim narrative.

The whole world sees what is happening, but "world view" politicians keep pretending the expression of violence is really a demonstration of peacefulness.

Back Door Policy

Or maybe, Leading From Behind?
Tasteless, yes.


Friday, July 10, 2015

A President Who Campaigned Against Same Sex Marriage

Changes his mind and the logjam of resistance is broken.
The embracing of the President's changed position by the the media is disingenuous, intentionally ignorant of the past.
Flashing the colors of victory on the White House offends a lot of people, even if it isn't cool to be on the wrong side of progress.
All people and unions should have equal protection under the law, but special status invokes governmental favoritism.
Supreme Court can decide what it wants, they don't run me.

Recipe for Children


I don’t think so.

This  was the contents of an email just received from the White House.
It is from the First Lady.
Hey everyone,We host quite a few special events at the White House every year, but for me, nothing beats what's going down here today: the 2015 Kids' "State Dinner."This is the fourth Kids' "State Dinner" we've hosted -- and every year, we challenge kids across the country to create an original recipe that is healthy, affordable, and absolutely delicious. The competition was stiff and, believe me, it was nearly impossible to choose just one winner from each state, territory, and D.C. Today, 55 of our nation's most inventive young chefs will join us for a healthy lunch that features a selection of their recipes.The "Mango-Cango Chicken" is one of my personal favorites. Take a look at some of the winning recipes to find yours.Then, join us as we kick off the celebration starting at 10 a.m. ET and roll out the red carpet for some incredibly talented young Americans with great taste.When you do, two things will be clear. First, America's kids are passionate about not just eating healthy food, but about cooking healthy food, too. Second, if these kids are the future of American cuisine, we'll be eating healthy for years to come.And that's one food trend I can get behind.So tune in live starting at 10 a.m. ET to meet our 2015 winners and see what they've got cooked up for this year's Kids' "State Dinner."I promise you, these kids won't disappoint.Thanks,First Lady Michelle Obama
To say that children are “passionate” about eating healthy food is, frankly, bullshit. Every person who read this email had that BS thought first when they read the email. I am not suggesting the recipe is bad, the food might taste great.  Children are not passionate about any food, they might be passionate about being fed. They want simple, they want sweet, and they want bold. If healthy food fits that  description they have no problem with eating it if presented, but will make no effort at all to work at anything they eat.
I agree Madam POTUS, that this is a problem, but she is overestimating her effectiveness.
Here is the recipe.
Created by a boy from Georgia no less.

And the web page with many more, looks like one from each state.

Thursday, July 2, 2015

Puns of Fun


My favorite this time is #6.
  1. Thought I saw an eye doctor on an Alaskan island, but it turned out to be an optical Aleutian.
  2. A hole was found in the nudist camp wall. The police are looking into it.
  3. Atheism is a non-prophet organization.
  4. In democracy it's your vote that counts. In feudalism it's your count that votes.
  5. Two hydrogen atoms meet. One says, "I've lost my electron". The other says, "Are you sure?" The first replies, "Yes, I'm positive."
  6. Does the name Pavlov ring a bell?
  7. A woman said she recognized me from the vegetarian club, but I'd never met herbivore .
  8. PMS jokes aren't funny, period.
  9. When you get a bladder infection, urine trouble.
  10. All the toilets NYC's police stations have been stolen. The police have nothing to go on.


F Word Fun

There are only ten times in history where the "F" word has been considered acceptable for use.
They are as follows:

10. "What the @#$% do you mean, we are sinking?" ...
-- Capt. E.J. Smith of RMS Titanic, 1912

9. "What the @#$% was that?"
-- Mayor Of Hiroshima, 1945

8. "Where did all those @#$%ing Indians come from?"
-- Custer, 1877

7. "Any @#$%ing idiot could understand that."
-- Einstein, 1938

6. "It does so @#$%ing look like her!"
-- Picasso, 1926

5. "How the @#$% did you work that out?"
-- Pythagoras, 126 BC

4. "You want WHAT on the @#$%ing ceiling?”
-- Michelangelo, 1566

3. "Where the @#$% are we?"
-- Amelia Earhart, 1937

2. "Scattered @#$%ing showers, my ass!"
-- Noah, 4314 BC

1. "Aw c'mon. Who the @#$% is going to find out?"
-- Bill Clinton, 1998

I am partial to #8.

The Matadors Wave at TPP

Congress.org presents MEGAVOTE for June 29, 2015 and Georgia's 13th Congressional District.
Recent Congressional Votes

  • Senate: Public Safety Employee Withdrawals – Trade Promotion Authority – Cloture
  • House: IPAB Repeal – Passage
  • House: EPA Carbon Emission Rules -- Passage

Both chambers are in recess until Tuesday, July 7, 2015.

Recent Senate Votes
Public Safety Employee Withdrawals – Trade Promotion Authority – Cloture Vote Agreed to (60-37, 3 Not Voting)
The Senate agreed to a motion to invoke cloture on a motion to concur in the House amendment to the Senate amendment to the bill. The House amendment would grant Trade Promotion Authority, under which implementing legislation for trade agreements negotiated by the administration would be considered by Congress under expedited procedures and could not be amended.
Sen. Johnny Isakson voted YES
Sen. David Perdue voted YES
For their behavior on this topic both Senators will not receive another penny or vote from me. This literally was a vote to stop discussion on the unconstitutional constraints established by Presidential negotiation.  The matador effect. They break their oath of office and really don't want to talk about it. The Republican party is now the moderate wing of the Socialist Republic of America.

Recent House Votes
IPAB Repeal – Passage Vote Passed (244-154, 35 Not Voting)
The House passed a bill that would repeal the provisions of the 2010 health care overhaul that created the Independent Payment Advisory Board (IPAB), which is designed to recommend cost-cutting measures if Medicare spending exceeds a target growth rate. The cost of repealing IPAB would be offset by rescinding an estimated $8.8 billion from the Prevention and Public Health Fund created under the 2010 health care overhaul.
Rep. David Scott voted YES
Said it before, this is simply politicians covering their asses. They are pretending to be fighting against a system they actually support.  It is no different that what you see with the IRS. For national health care there will have to be a meting out of resources, it is inevitable, the number of doctors will shrink and the fixed costs will continue to rise.  Call it whatever you will, that there will be groups of people deciding based on costs and demographics, who gets what, IS CERTAIN.

EPA Carbon Emission Rules -- Passage Vote Passed (247-180, 6 Not Voting)
The House passed a bill that would postpone the dates by when states and existing fossil-fuel power plants must comply with current or future EPA rules to reduce carbon emissions until all judicial challenges are completed, and it allows state governors to opt out of developing an emissions reduction plan or complying with a federal plan for existing plants if he or she determines that the requirement would have an adverse effect on electricity ratepayers.
Rep. David Scott voted NO
All we have to do is last another 2 years before this administration is evaporated.  On this topic, I think the Republicans will roll back the rules that are oppressive. David Scott on the other hand voted like a Democrat, blithely unaware of reality.

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That's My Dog

My bride picked this dog, Quincy, four years ago.  Picked it because it was handsome and cute hiding from the other pups. She picked the runt of the litter. What we got was what she picked, a handsome English Cream Retriever that is absolutely scared of everything.
The other day he had a skin irritation, so we pulled out the cone. After his dinner we slipped the cone onto Quincy's neck and for the next half hour he sat there motionless afraid to move.



 I had to help him lay down so he would relax.
Quincy is a sweet dog and I wouldn't give him up for anything, but this made me laugh.


Don't Pull Out

Congress.org presents MEGAVOTE for June 22, 2015 and Georgia's 13th Congressional District.
Recent Votes:
  • Senate: Fiscal 2016 Defense Authorization - Passage
  • Senate: Fiscal 2016 Defense Appropriations – Cloture
  • House: U.S. Citizens in Iran - Passage
  • House: Fiscal 2016 Intelligence Authorization – Passage
  • House: Iraq Troop Withdraw – Passage
Upcoming Congressional Bills
  • House: Protecting Seniors’ Access to Medicare Act
  • House: Fiscal 2016 Interior-Environment Appropriations
Recent Senate Votes:
Fiscal 2016 Defense Authorization - Passage Vote Passed (71-25, 4 Not Voting)
The Senate passed a bill that would authorize approximately $612 billion in discretionary funding for defense programs in fiscal 2016, including $88.9 billion in Overseas Contingency Operations funding. Excluding Overseas Contingency Operations funding, the bill would authorize, within the Senate Armed Services Committee's jurisdiction, approximately: $134.1 billion for operations and maintenance, roughly $112.2 billion for procurement,$ 135.5 billion for military personnel, $8.3 billion for military construction, family housing, and base realignment and closure, roughly $70.9 billion for research, development, testing and evaluation, and $32.2 billion for the Defense Health Program.
Sen. Johnny Isakson voted YES
Sen. David Perdue voted YES
This bill H.R. 17356, it is too bad they don't have to start this bill with what the Defense Health Program should cost. Follow that with enlisted pay scales. Unfortunately the rest of it is the product of the incestuous relationships between business, politicians and the military. The way I see many of the conflicts developing in the future means having available troops. Deterrent hardware in Europe isn't going isn't going to stop Russian, or Islamic intrusion, a soldier standing at the ready is the only thing respected because our enemies know that we only use imposing force as a last resort. Most everyone was for it, why wouldn't they be, most have campaigns that benefit.

Fiscal 2016 Defense Appropriations – Cloture Vote Rejected (50-45, 5 Not Voting)
The Senate rejected a motion to invoke cloture on a motion to proceed to the intended legislative vehicle for the bill that would provide nearly $576 billion in discretionary spending for defense programs in fiscal 2016, including $86.9 billion for the Overseas Contingency Operations account.
Sen. Johnny Isakson voted YES
Sen. David Perdue voted YES
A political agreement to keep talking about it, yet as you see above, they voted and closed the matter.

Recent House Votes
U.S. Citizens in Iran - Passage Vote Passed (391-0, 42 Not Voting)
The House agreed to a motion to suspend the rules and pass a resolution expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that Iran should immediately release U.S. citizens Jason Rezaian, Amir Hekmati and Saeed Abedini and provide all known information on the whereabouts of Robert Levinson.
Rep. David Scott voted YES
The FBI was offering $5,000,000.00 for his return back in 2007. Does any, any reasonable person, think that Robert Levinson would be released because the House of Representative said they should? This stinks of Boehner setting up some defensible excuse, because they are getting ready to accept the crap treaty that POTUS presents.  More matador shit, we told them to let him go, but it wasn't so important that we would hold up a nuclear treaty that has no hope of holding up Iranian nuclear missiles.

Fiscal 2016 Intelligence Authorization – Passage Vote Passed (247-178, 8 Not Voting)
The House passed a bill that would authorize classified amounts in FY 2016 for 16 U.S. intelligence agencies and intelligence-related activities of the U.S. government, including the Office of the National Intelligence Director, the CIA and the National Security Agency (NSA), as well as foreign intelligence activities of the Defense Department, FBI, State Department, Homeland Security Department and other agencies. The measure covers general intelligence operations, including signals intelligence, clandestine human intelligence programs and analysis, and covert action programs, as well as research and development and projects to improve information dissemination.
Rep. David Scott voted NO
Her is where the government decides the people that has taken an oath to protect are not allowed to know how much  is being spent on intelligence gathering. A practice we know, that they would prefer a free hand to apply on the very same citizens.  I agree with David Scott's vote on this.

Iraq Troop Withdraw – Passage Vote Failed (139-288, 1 Present, 5 Not Voting)
The House rejected a concurrent resolution that would direct the president to withdraw U.S. forces deployed to Iraq in support of operations against the Islamic State in Syria and Iraq, other than armed forces required to protect U.S. diplomatic facilities and personnel within 30 days of enactment.
Rep. David Scott voted NO
Don't pull out, we decided, we voted on it. 

Upcoming Votes:
Protecting Seniors’ Access to Medicare Act - H.R.1190
The bill would repeal the provisions of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act providing for the Independent Payment Advisory Board.
Tee up the "talking point" arguments about death panels. In the ends it's all bullshit anyway. The Federal government has turned the United States into a socialist country, If it not this panel it will be another one and its purpose will be to restrict what we can have and make us pay more for it.

Fiscal 2016 Interior-Environment Appropriations - H.R.2822
The bill would make appropriations for the Department of the Interior, Environment, and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2016, and for other purposes.
The country might be well served to cut off the spigot to this department for about a decade. They have been out of hand with their land management practices. This department routinely infringes on citizen's property rights.

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