House GOP: Don't Hurt Us -- Please

Cross-posted at the Brock Log.

TPM Muckraker's Justin Rood has an interesting post on the GOP's victimization.

In a "Dear Colleague" letter circulated to fellow Republicans, three House GOPers are trying to push a "Minority Bill of Rights" -- based on a two-year-old proposal by then-Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA). You can read the letter here.

Of particular interesting to North Carolinians is that one of the Republican Congressman hoping for a measure of Speaker-Designate Pelosi's civil nature is Congressman Patrick McHenry.

What is going on in Senator Dole’s Office?

Cross-posted from the Brock Log.

I write my elected representatives often and I appreciate the responses I get, even though I know that they're auto-penned form letters.

But, something goofy is happening in Senator Dole's office in Washington.

In the last two months, I've gotten 5 letters from "her." In reality, though, I've gotten three letters. Two of the four are original letters, two more are copies of those and the fifth is the most interesting.

It's a one-pager that says she's glad I write her and appreciates hearing my point of view. Yeah, right, but thanks for the pandering.

Why have I gotten two letters twice and one annoyingly condescending letter when I haven't gotten my answers that I hand-delivered to her representative in August? Presuming, of course, that Ms. Janet Bradbury did what she promised and actually delivered my questions.

Democrats continue to back away from promises

Cross-posted from the Brock Log.

Remember when I first asked if the Democrats were backing away from campaign promises?

I wasn't wrong.

The Washington Post.

Democrats To Start Without GOP Input

As they prepare to take control of Congress this week and face up to campaign pledges to restore bipartisanship and openness, Democrats are planning to largely sideline Republicans from the first burst of lawmaking.

...

But instead of allowing Republicans to fully participate in deliberations, as promised after the Democratic victory in the Nov. 7 midterm elections, Democrats now say they will use House rules to prevent the opposition from offering alternative measures, assuring speedy passage of the bills and allowing their party to trumpet early victories.

Where I've been..

I've been a little dodgy and haven't participated lately. I apologize, but it's been for a good cause, I promise.

Several days after the election, I took a big step in my role as a Progressive and activist within Onslow County: I registered as a Democrat.

As a Democrat, I thought I should attend a recent meeting of the Onslow County Democratic party (which I did). I was by far the youngest person in the room (the next youngest was a fellow in his mid-to-upper 30s). I was appointed to do several things...Among these are recruit young members to the Democratic Party, get these young members to become active in the Party and charter a Young Democrats group.

Any advice given will be greatly appreciated.

Rumsfeld Quits!

Cross-posted at the Brock Log

CNN has details.

GOP officials: Rumsfeld stepping down

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld, architect of an unpopular war in Iraq, intends to resign after six stormy years at the Pentagon, Republican officials said Wednesday.

Officials said Robert Gates, former head of the CIA, would replace Rumsfeld.

The development occurred one day after congressional elections that cost Republicans control of the House of Representatives, and possibly the Senate as well. Surveys of voters at polling places said opposition to the war was a significant contributor to the Democratic Party's victory.

Weber Commercials

Craig Weber has commercials airing throughout the district. He's also got them online.

Check them out! (#3 and 4 are my favorites).

Mr. Weber was at a Candidates Forum in Jacksonville last night. I'm working on the write up and audio (gotta love digital recorders!). I'm 'out of pocket' for the weekend so I probably won't have the stuff done until late Monday or Tuesday.

The Death of America

The Brock Log is down for repairs, so this is all new, all original material.

I'm sorry to say, but America is dead. Perhaps it was the Military Commissions Act of 2006, maybe the shelter given to a pedophile in the Congress. It could've started with the PATRIOT Act and certainly, the illegal invasion and occupation of Iraq didn't provide a healing salve to the nation still wounded from September 2001.

Regardless of the mortal wound, the evidence is clear. America has died and it's clear who killed her.

According to the lawsuit filed at U.S. District Court in Denver, Howards and his son walked to about two-to-three feet from where Cheney was standing, and said to the vice president, "I think your policies in Iraq are reprehensible," or words to that effect, then walked on.

House Resolution 6166 - Military Commissions Act of 2006

The House passed the legislation on Military Commissions today. The vote was 253 (FOR) - 168 (AGAINST). It was Roll Call 491.

Who voted for it?

Coble, Foxx, Taylor, Hayes, Myrick, McHenry, Etheridge and McIntyre.

Etheridge and McIntyre are bold because they're Democrats.

Who voted against it?

Miller, Watt, Price, Butterfield and Jones, Jr.

I commend those five that stood up against the Administration. I commend those who stood up for American values.

I sit in complete and total disappointment to the seven that voted for this resolution.

Congresswoman Louise Slaughter

Cross-posted at the Brock Log.

I join Atrios in commending Ms. Slaughter for her speech on the House floor today.

It is a reality made all the more egregious by the historic importance of this moment.

We are at a crossroads today, and I fear that we will not by judged kindly by future Americans for what my Republican friends want us to do today.

This bill sends a clear message to both our friends and our enemies about what kind of people we are.

Congressman Jones, Jr - Not concerned about Terrorists from Iraq or Afghanistan

Congressman Walter B. Jones, Jr. just made a statement on the House floor that he's "more concerned about terrorism coming from Central and South America than I am coming from Iraq and Afghanistan, quite frankly."

And yes, folks, that's a word for word verbatim quotation.

I'm sorry, but has there been some terrorist attack made by the half-baked, starving and dehydrated illegal immigrants crossing into the Southern U.S. that I haven't heard about?

BlueNC

Just some guy's blog