Akash wrote:
You queers. Always looking for a guy to get on his knees...
Of course, men and women, engaging in both heterosexual and homosexual acts, get on their knees and worship their "God." The only meaningful difference is whether the holy image is concave or convex.
Sonic Youth wrote:Oh, I do! I do! He's my new hero. Wow, did he ever bring out all the double-a asshole bigots. And did he handle it beautifully!
Very true. One piece of information I'm not sure has been properly dispersed to the nation at large in the reporting of this story (i.e. "omg, he's going to put his hand on the Quran!") is that the Republicans selected a Jew to run against him who, like a wind-up toy, spouted off his grave, fabricated misgivings about his opponent's religion. (Note to criddic, I'm not saying he did that because he's a Jew. I'm saying that because your party told him to say that in order to make the district's overwhelming Democrat constituency feel hesitation over voting for a Muslim.)
Haha, Akash. Point well taken.
I have no idea why I would be brought into such a comment, but I'm not in a position to know whether or not the Republican candidate believed what he was saying or was just sticking to a campaign strategy. I did not follow this race. It isn't hard to believe that the strategy was to cast doubt on a Muslim candidate, given some people's association of Muslims with 9/11 and terrorists. I don't see people as groups. It is true that Islamic terrorist exist in this world who have declared that if we don't convert to Islam, we will all die, but that doesn't mean that all of them are bad people. A Muslim candidate, an American citizen, should be able to run for office if he chooses. He should be scrutinized on the issues, as any candidate would be. I have no problem with him saying his oath over the Quran, as long as he is bound to that oath.
"Because here’s the thing about life: There’s no accounting for what fate will deal you. Some days when you need a hand. There are other days when we’re called to lend a hand." -- President Joe Biden, 01/20/2021
I don't know about hand-picked, but it's worth mentioning that Fine was unopposed in the primaries. (Of course, this could just be because the 5th district is a lost cause for Republicans.) And, once his race developed into Jew v. Muslim, he dutifully went through all expected talking points while Ellison took the high road.
The strategy didn't work, but take note that Ellison only won with about 55 percent, whereas his predecessor Martin Sabo usually got about 70 percent of the vote. St. Louis Park (probably the most highly-concentrated Jewish area in the Twin Cities) is in the 5th district.
Sonic Youth wrote:Oh, I do! I do! He's my new hero. Wow, did he ever bring out all the double-a asshole bigots. And did he handle it beautifully!
Very true. One piece of information I'm not sure has been properly dispersed to the nation at large in the reporting of this story (i.e. "omg, he's going to put his hand on the Quran!") is that the Republicans selected a Jew to run against him who, like a wind-up toy, spouted off his grave, fabricated misgivings about his opponent's religion. (Note to criddic, I'm not saying he did that because he's a Jew. I'm saying that because your party told him to say that in order to make the district's overwhelming Democrat constituency feel hesitation over voting for a Muslim.)
Barely in and the Dems are ALREADY working on stuff they promised us they'd work on.
Well they sort of have to of they wanna be elected again. They'll be able to say "see, we did something productive and worked with the President (who has to sign of on most of this stuff for it to go through, since we all know the Dems don't have the 2/3 votes necessary to override a veto)."
I wish Pelosi and co. well. I really do. The country needs leadership, and the frank truth is that the Republicans dropped the ball in the last two years. Maybe being in the minority will help them get back on track.
"Because here’s the thing about life: There’s no accounting for what fate will deal you. Some days when you need a hand. There are other days when we’re called to lend a hand." -- President Joe Biden, 01/20/2021
This whole week is a blur to me because of my kitty, but I love the fact that Tony Bennett was Nancy Pelosi's guest in the Visitors' Gallery.
And all those kids swarming over the dais area was so sweet!
(Was it only today that Congress was sworn in? And Gerald Ford's funeral, which I watched in its entirely seems like weeks ago -- but they seem like part of the same big event.)
"Y'know, that's one of the things I like about Mitt Romney. He's been consistent since he changed his mind." -- Christine O'Donnell
Sonic Youth wrote:I mean, it's practically an appointed position. It's not like she's the first female president or vice-president elected by the people. It's all about who you know and how effectively you shmooze to get the job.
Well Bush wasn't elected the first time either, which arguably taints the second win as well (fruit from the poisonous tree and all), but whatever...
I mean, it's practically an appointed position. It's not like she's the first female president or vice-president elected by the people. It's all about who you know and how effectively you shmooze to get the job.
Barely in and the Dems are ALREADY working on stuff they promised us they'd work on. I'm at least pleased about that. I'm especially happy about the planned "raises to the national minimum raise, implement the recommendations of the 9/11 Commission and reduce prescription costs for seniors and college loan interest rates for students." The last one is a reminder to college students everywhere that the younger demographic really needs to get out of its pot-filled daze, stop masturbating and get out of bed on election day and just VOTE. This is good news after Bush and his gang spent the past year seriously crippling financial aid.
And I don't think I need to reiterate how poorly America treats its elderly.
POSTED: 4:25 p.m. EST, January 4, 2007
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Rep. Nancy Pelosi became the first woman speaker of the House of Representatives on Thursday, as Democrats took control of both chambers of Congress.
"I accept this gavel in the spirit of partnership, not partisanship," Pelosi said, taking the symbol of her new job from Republican minority leader John Boehner.
Cheers of the Democrats almost drowned out the clerk of the House's announcement that Pelosi was elected speaker by 233 votes to 202 -- reflecting the number of seats held by each party.
In the Senate, Harry Reid took charge as majority leader, sealing the power shift to the Democrats who have spent most of the past dozen years in the minority.
Pelosi stressed that she wanted cooperation between Democrats and Republicans, echoing similar calls by President Bush on Wednesday as well as Boehner, who addressed the House before her.
"In this House, we may be different parties, but we serve one country," she said.
Pelosi noted that her election marked "an historic moment for the women of America" before moving on to promote her party's agenda.
She urged Congress to hit the ground running and pass legislation quickly to ensure it will be the "most honest and open Congress in history."
Starting with lobbying reform, the Democrats want to use the first 100 hours of legislative work of the new Congress to push raises to the national minimum raise, implement the recommendations of the 9/11 Commission and reduce prescription costs for seniors and college loan interest rates for students.
Reid outlined the same agenda, but said the Senate would maintain its historical role to review legislation at a slower pace.
A national poll released this week showed Democrats have strong support for nearly all the measures they want to pass in their first days in charge. But Democrats' thin hold on power ensures that any successful legislation must have at least some GOP support.
The Senate is divided 51-49, with two senators elected as independents caucusing with the Democrats. South Dakota Democrat Tim Johnson, who is recovering from a brain hemorrhage, was not present.
Integrity tops to-do list
Before the House and Senate were called to order, Reid invited both Democrats and Republicans to a rare closed-door conference Thursday in the Old Senate Chamber in hopes of setting a bipartisan mood after years of political rancor.
Top Senate Republican Mitch McConnell of Kentucky said the meeting gave senators in both parties "a chance to express some of their quiet frustrations [about] the level of partisanship that we've witnessed in recent years," according to The Associated Press.
After passage of a series of routine resolutions -- including elevating 89-year-old Sen. Robert Byrd, D-West Virginia, as President Pro Tempore, third in the line of presidential succession -- the Senate floor opened for business.
Incoming House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, a Maryland Democrat, told reporters that Democrats would move quickly on rules changes.
"On Thursday and Friday, we're going to adopt rules that will change the way the people's House operates to ensure its integrity, to ensure its openness and to ensure its transparency," Hoyer said Wednesday.
Tighter restrictions on spending earmarks, lobbying, gifts and travel will be proposed, Democratic House leaders said.
A $2.10 hourly increase in the minimum wage to $7.25 is among six bills Democrats pledged to advance in their first 100 hours of making new laws next week, after members are seated and committees are organized.
The minimum wage was last increased in 1997. Democrats want to phase increases over two years, a proposal that has drawn conditional support from President Bush.
But they may face a tougher hurdle in efforts to repeal Bush's ban on federal funding for embryonic stem-cell research. In the only veto of his presidency to date, Bush killed a similar bill that passed with bipartisan support last year -- and White House spokesman Tony Snow said Wednesday that the president's position has not changed.
The schedule for the 100 legislative hours stretches from Tuesday through January 18, five days ahead of Bush's State of the Union address.
Grandchildren and grand stars
Cheers and children were key components of the opening ceremonies in the House, with congressmen bringing their families to witness their swearing in.
Pelosi was escorted into the House chamber by her grandchildren. She greeted colleagues with hugs and handshakes as her family walked beside her and later invited all the children present to come up to the speaker's chair for a chance to touch the gavel.
Among guests watching from Pelosi's box in the House gallery were singers Tony Bennett and Carole King, and actor Richard Gere.
