The terrible accident today involving the Amtrak train carrying the Republican congressional caucus to West Virginia for their annual retreat of course dominated the news coverage this morning. But, there was something that was mentioned almost as a throwaway line by a GOP congressman being interviewed over the phone that puzzled me greatly.
As I mentioned, this is an annual retreat, for the caucus to get all together in one place, and plot the strategy for their agenda for the year. But when asked if they planned to go on to the conference after the accident, the congressman indicated they would, pointing out that “This is important for the country. We’re holding our retreat this week, and I believe the Democrats are holding their next week.”
OK, I might not be the brightest bulb on the string, but I can count to twenty, especially when I’m barefoot, like now. And my simple mind is still familiar with the concept of a calendar. On January 22nd, Puff the Orange Dragon signed a three week continuing resolution to end the government shutdown. That means that Uncle Sam turns his pockets inside out again at midnight on February 8th. So, if the Republicans are sitting around the pool, talking turkey over bloody Marys this week, and the Democrats are pootling off to warmer, more pleasant climes next week, when are they supposed to get together, solve DACA, and find a way to keep the lights on?
Is this as stupid and irresponsible as it sounds, or am I the only one hyperventilating over a senility induced hallucination? I’m pretty sure there’s an old adage that goes something like “What if they threw a shutdown, but nobody cared?” Wadda way to run a railroad.