In the News – 9/16/2009

On a personal note, I disappeared yesterday afternoon, because my printer arrived via UPS, and configuring it to my wireless network was like pulling teeth.   I’ll be scarce today, because I will be assisting in a therapy group, as I do almost every Wednesday.  So, if  don’t make it to your blog, please don’t feel ignored.

It seems that Crawford Caligula did not have much respect for his potential replacements during 2008 campaign, according to Bush’s former speechwriter, Matt Lattner, as reported in the Kansas City Star.  About Obama, he said, “and this cat isn't remotely qualified to handle it. This guy has no clue, I promise you.”  About Hillary he said, “ 'Wait till her fat ass is sitting at this desk.”  Neither comment surprises me.  However I am surprised by his statement about Snake Oil Sarah Palin.  “This woman is being put into a position she is not even remotely prepared for. She hasn't spent one day on the national level. Neither has her family. Let's wait and see how she looks five days out.”  I guess there is only one explanation.  Just as Hitler had no real respect for Mussolini, our former Fuhrer has no real respect for Moose0lini. ;-)

On the green front, House Democrats are using healthcare as an excuse to delay critical climate legislation.

Democratic leaders in the Senate said last night they may wait until next year to take up climate change legislation, jeopardising the prospect of reaching a deal to avoid the most catastrophic consequences of global warming.

The delay would prevent Barack Obama from delivering on his promise of demonstrating firm US commitment on climate change action in advance of negotiations at Copenhagen next December.

The setback arrives at a critical moment in the home stretch of the negotiations, with UN secretary general Ban Ki-moon, telling the Guardian that world leaders needed to show stronger leadership if they want to reach a deal at Copenhagen.

In a briefing with reporters, the Senate majority leader, Harry Reid, said Democrats wanted to push ahead on healthcare reform this year before taking up climate change.

"We are going to have a busy, busy time the rest of this year," Reid said. "And, of course, nothing terminates at the end of this year. We still have next year to complete things if we have to."

Such a delay means that America would be unable to send the strong signal it is ready to act to cut its greenhouse gas emissions that has been demanded by other big polluters such as China and India. That in turn would imperil the prospects of coming to a deal at Copenhagen to halt warming in time to avert dangerous rising of temperatures and sea levels, and severe droughts…

Inserted from <The Guardian>

Environmental groups are going ballistic, and I can’t blame them.  Can’t the Senate walk and chew gum at the same time?  Don’t they realize the importance of going to Copenhagen in a leadership roll?  It may already be to late to avert the effects of climate change, but the longer we wait, the more pronounced the effects will become.  I think they are just trying to avoid another fight with those mean Republicans.  Harry Reid, if you lack the courage to lead, step down and make way for someone that has it!

Finally, on the wing-nut front, Joe Immigration Liar Wilson was censured in the House.

The Democratic-controlled House on Tuesday voted to admonish Rep. Joe Wilson (R-S.C.) for heckling President Obama during his healthcare address to Congress last week, heightening partisan tensions in the Capitol.

The lawmaker's shout of "You lie!" to the president was a breach of decorum and "degraded the proceedings . . . to the discredit of the House," according to the unusual resolution chastising Wilson for his conduct inside the chamber. The largely party-line vote was 240 to 179, with five lawmakers voting "present."…

Inserted from <LA Times>

Although this vote was largely party line, there were actually twelve Democrats (?) who voted against censuring Wilson.  Here are their names:

Michael Arcuri (N.Y.), William Delahunt (Mass.), Gabrielle Giffords (Ariz.), Maurice Hinchey (N.Y.), Paul Hodes (N.H.), Dennis Kucinich (Ohio), Dan Maffei (N.Y.), Eric Massa (N.Y.), Jim McDermott (Wash.), Gwen Moore (Wis.), Gene Taylor (Miss.), Harry Teague (N.M.)

If any of these people represent your district, would you please give them an earful?

Have a great day!!