Henry Waxman is holding a hearing on the State Department Inspector general, Mr. Krongard. As usual Waxman had an outstanding opening statement and Mr. Shay's wined about how this inspector general is being trashed.
It is note worthy that his brother or brother-in-law was on the board of Blackwater which he neglected to mention while apparently (allegedly) not being very interested in going after any waste and fraud.
Republican Sen. John Cornyn wanted the Senate to declare a liberal group out of line for criticizing Iraq war Gen. David Petraeus in a newspaper ad.
Instead, Cornyn's amendment was ruled out of order.
Reacting on Tuesday to a MoveOn.org ad that ran in the New York Times, the Texas senator called on Democrats to join him in denouncing the ad and the liberal group.
The senate is discussing Homeland Security Budget Amendments today. The Vitter Amendment passed 68/32 in favor of the amendment much to Rick Santorum's chagrine.
The amendment stops customs from seizing prescription drugs at the Canadian Border. The discussion for it centered on the inordinate costs of drugs in the U.S. vs. Cananda, allowing Homeland Security Agents to spend their time on issues other than depriving people of their medication and safety.
Not unexpectedly, but rather rediculously, the naysayers had a heyday with the safety issue with no avail. See Santorums fear mongering below.
Rep. Dave Obey (WI) railed at congress and supported Barney Frank's ammendment to skip the trip to mars and support earth based science. However, he did indulge in framing the type of politician he would like to send to Mars.
Obey admitted exploring Mars is an exciting idea but he's more excited by clean water and competent teachers.
The democratic women senator's are sending a letter to Frist today to urge him to deal with a checklist of items in the last 50 days of congress. They are asking him to change the tone and direction of the senate and to allow them to try to get something done.
The part I saw included Hillary and Diane Feinstein. Roughly, the points are outlined as. 1. President present a plan with estimated phased withdrawal dates by the end of 2006 2. President convene international community to help with stablization of Iraq 3. Iraqi govm't stabilize political situation and 4. reduce violence, through a. economic resources, b. unifying constitution, c. disarm militias etc.
Representative King from Iowa is on C-Span announcing the republican's intent to hammer the democrats, tomorrow, on the notion that you cannot support the troops and not the mission. He's adament that the two concepts cannot be separated. Same old, same old politics instead of governance.
Why did Mary Cheney decide to become gay? Her mother wrote a book called, "Sisters (1981)" about lesbian lovers. Do you think her mother writing about explicit gay sex contributed to Mary Cheney's decision to become gay?
Scooter Libby wrote a book entitled, "The Apprentice." This book alluded to bears and children coupling. Mary has been on T.V. saying that the indicted Scooter Libby is a great guy and apparently family friend? Does having a father who chooses a wife and a high level staff member who authors such content contribute to Mary Cheney's orientation choice?
