burr

Call asking for the restoration of habeas corpus.

In an amazing display of personal sacrifice our Senators Dole and Burr braved the cold and discomforts of the US Senate Chamber during an all-night filibuster.

More below the fold...(Snark)

Our nation's troops need your help, right now!
Call Dole and Burr and tell them to support Amendment.2012

Among my least favorite things in the world are troop-lovin' Republican hypocrites, and god knows we have more than a few of them representing North Carolina in Congress. But even I was surprised at their recent spate of mindless mumblings, as reported in today's Charlotte Observer.

While support for the war among Carolinas Republicans remains high, Myrick and two other lawmakers from the area voiced critical comments about Bush's ability to convey his message effectively. Though their criticism is mild, it echoes concerns among Republicans across the country about Bush.

U.S. Rep. Sue Myrick said Bush hasn't been able to effectively portray the enemy to the American people. "Iraq became the centerpiece," the Charlotte Republican said. "He has not, in my opinion, done a good job of talking about the big picture, the worldwide problem of the radicalization of the jihadists and what they intend to do."

Rep. Patrick McHenry, a Cherryville Republican, said the president should have characterized the challenge as a "war against Islamic extremists" instead of a war on terrorism. "Terrorism is merely a tactic. Islamic extremists are the ones actively targeting Americans because they loathe our culture, laws and freedoms," McHenry said.

Rep. Robin Hayes, R-Concord, said, "The administration's effort in communicating with the American people has not been very good."

This blog is cross posted from The Progressive Pulse.

Every politician dreads the moment when the special interest group which paid for their campaign is in direct opposition to the well-being of the citizens they were elected to represent. Such is the case with Senator Burr, Senator Dole, and the pharmaceutical industry. Last week the Senate blocked a bill which would have allowed the government to negotiate lower drug prices on the 2003 Medicare Drug Bill. The vote was 55 “yes” (49 Democrats, 6 Republicans) and 42 “no” (42 Repubs, 1 Dem). 60 “yes” votes were required to pass the bill. Senators Burr and Dole voted no.

This is a long post but please bear with me.

Thislittle tidbit from Under the Dome today.

A new ranking from Congress.org has Sen. Richard Burr leapfrogging his senior colleague, Sen. Elizabeth Dole, in the power game in Washington. Still, both Republicans are ranked near the bottom of the Senate.

Burr, elected in 2002, ranked 86th of the 100 senators, according to Congress.org's power rankings for the current Congress. The group listed Dole, who was elected in 2000, as 95th. Both senators' scores tumbled from last year, when the GOP was in power.

The rankings are conducted a few times a year by Knowlegis, a consulting firm that follows Congress. The company measures lawmakers' power by tallying their position, legislative successes and general influence among colleagues. It takes into account committee assignments, political party and fundraising prowess.

First is was Burr saying he doesn't think "it's a member of Congress' role to tell the Navy where or where not to place something." And yesterday Dole announces wants to hold more hearings, but says she will not intervene.

Now you know why the past six years have been so disastrous for our nation. Do-nothing, chickenhawk Republicans.

When all hell breaks loose in national politics, Liddy Dole is usually the first one rushing to the cameras to deliver mindless Republican talking points, with little Patty McHenry not far behind. So where are the two Bushbots this week as the story of White House unethical firing of eight US attorneys?

They are completely invisible. The only NC Republican who has managed to find his voice is Walter Jones.

U.S. Rep. Walter Jones is joining a growing list of Republicans who have expressed concern over the current leadership of the U.S. Department of Justice.

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"While I recognize that all U.S. Attorneys serve at your pleasure, recent news reports alleging the improper political influence of partisan politics in the decision to terminate several U.S. Attorneys are most disturbing," Jones wrote.

Last week, I traveled to Washington, DC, along with 16 other advocates for early childhood education from North Carolina. We attended a public policy forum, sponsored by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). “NAEYC's mission is to serve and act on the behalf of the needs, rights, and well-being of all young children with primary focus on the provision of educational and developmental services and resources.”

We spent a day in intensive sessions, learning all we could about specific issues and concerns affecting early childhood at a federal level. What are what are those issues? Find out below the fold.

I have to say, I sure am liking the N&O's editorial page lately. Steve Ford and Company are all over the OLF controversy . . . and they're going great guns. Thursday's paper calls on Liddy Dole and Richard Burr to get off their butts and do their darn jobs:

For Dole and Burr, military-friendly senators in a state that touts itself as the military-friendliest, this can't be an easy call. It's time, however, that they make one. This issue has been in the news for five years and two environmental studies, neither of them convincing in making the case for the Navy's choice of a site.

Instead, as The N&O reported Sunday, the senators are noncommittal. "It's a matter of process," said Dole. She has met with OLF opponents and says she'll raise her questions about the site soon. Said Burr: "I don't think it's a member of Congress' role to tell the Navy where or where not to place something."