Here comes Employee Free Choice...

I hope to God this compromise is okay, and doesn't screw the Unions.

I'm getting this from Jane Hamsher's blogpost on HuffPo, but the data really comes from the National Journal (subscriber only).

[Diane Feinstein's] proposal would replace the card-check provision, which would allow workers to unionize if a majority signed authorization cards and strip a company's ability to demand a secret ballot election. "It's a secret ballot that would be mailed in ... just like an absentee ballot. The individual could take it home and mail it in," Feinstein said. If a majority mailed the ballots to the National Labor Relations Board, the NLRB would recognize the union.

...and I did mention the part where Diane Feinstein wants to be Governor of Union heavy California, right?? Being the one to stop EFCA's passage is a good way to make sure you don't become Governor.

One-hundred egos...

 Once again, a scumbag Senator is holding up not just one, but two of the President's nominees, this time in the field of science: John Holdren, who is in line to lead the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, and Oregon State University marine biologist Jane Lubchenco, Obama's nominee to head the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

We should rise up, tar and feather the dirtbag Republican Senator who--

Excuse me, what was that?

It's a Democrat who's holding up the nominations?

Sen. Robert Menendez (D-N.J.) has placed a "hold" that blocks votes on confirming Harvard University physicist John Holdren, who is in line to lead the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, and Oregon State University marine biologist Jane Lubchenco, Obama's nominee to head the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. According to sources who asked not to be identified because they were not authorized to discuss the matter, Menendez is using the holds as leverage to get Senate leaders' attention for a matter related to Cuba rather than questioning the nominees' credentials.

Jim Manley, spokesman for Senate Majority Leader Harry M. Reid (D-Nev.), said of Menendez's objections, "We will work to try to address any concerns that he may have."

This is a slightly personal matter to me, as I met Dr. Holdren when he presented an award to my dear old Dad in 2007.

Needless to say, despite the fact that this situation is being driven by an allegedly fellow Democrat, my assessment of the situation is no less harsh.

Mr. Menendez:

You barely won re-election, and maybe the reason it was so close because of narrow-ass bull@$# thinking like this. So shut up, drop the hold or get nothing from this President ever again in the future, because Obama's carrying New Jersey in 2012 with or without you.

Originally posted at Fort McHenry.

TPM: Trailblazer is Toast...Part II (Senate Version)

This is from the office of Dick Durbin, and it's his official statement on the Burris matter. (That breeze you feel is the axe starting to fall. If not, he's getting awful brazen about wishing a colleague, a Democratic colleague, out of the Senate.)

(Note: All emphasis...of course...is mine.)

DURBIN STATEMENT ON SENATOR ROLAND BURRIS

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) issued the following statement today on the evolving situation regarding Senator Roland Burris (D-IL):

"When we met with Roland Burris in January, we made it clear that in order for him to be seated in the U.S. Senate he needed to meet two requirements - first, that he submit the proper paperwork certifying his appointment, and second, that he appear before the General Assembly's Impeachment Committee to testify openly, honestly and completely about the nature of his relationship with the former governor, his associates and the circumstances surrounding this appointment."

"We asked him to testify in the impeachment proceedings, not to embarrass Roland Burris, but to give him an opportunity to clear the air regarding this appointment from a tainted governor. Our hope was that he would use that opportunity to assure the people of Illinois and the other members of the United States Senate that he was not involved in any wrongdoing."

"Now the accuracy and completeness of his testimony and affidavits have been called into serious question. Every day there are more and more revelations about contacts with Blagojevich advisors, efforts at fundraising and omissions from his list of lobbying clients. This was not the full disclosure under oath that we asked for."

"These news reports and the public statements by Roland Burris himself are troubling and raise serious questions which need to be looked at very carefully."

"The State's Attorney in Sangamon County is reviewing the affidavit and other materials associated with Senator Burris' testimony to see if criminal charges are warranted and the U.S. Senate Ethics Committee has begun a preliminary investigation into this matter."

"This is the appropriate course of action and I await the outcome of those investigations. The people of Illinois deserve nothing less."

As I said yesterday, in far fewer words (remember, I'm not a U.S. Senator):

"If you sufficiently bury Blagojevich…if you prove to the Senate you are your own man, we'll get this over with and let you in."

Well, he didn't.

Multiple amended statements does not equal"testify openly, honestly and completely about the nature of his relationship with the former governor...

Toast.

Sooner or later, toast.

Mr. Burris Goes To (And Is Booted Out Of) Washington

Photo: NY Times

Roland Burris, appointed senator by embattled Illinois governor Rod Blagojevich, was just given "the high hat" by the Beltway Boys.

Burris, President-elect Obama's successor (for now) was turned away when he appeared at the U.S. Capitol to take his seat. Upon entering the revered bastion of Democracy, Burris was bum-rushed by a mob of reporters. Capitol police officers tried to clear a path for Mr. Burris. According to the NY Times, one officer shouted: “You can’t keep a regular citizen from walking into the Capitol.”

Citizen Burris managed to somehow make his way to the office of Nancy Erickson, the secretary of the Senate, to whom he presented his credentials. She promptly and swiftly rejected them.

After getting the big yoke by the metaphorical bouncer of the joint, Burris hurriedly walked out into the D.C. rain and announced the rejection to a large throng of reporters and cameras. (I said THRONG. Stop snickering)

Woe is he. Welcome to Washington, Señor...now beat it!

This story is breaking, so stay tuned for juicy updates and perhaps more colorful hi jinks and backslapping from other mischievous lawmakers on the Hill.

BREAKING NEWS: Senator Diane Feinstein supports the seating of Roland Burris.

Well now, this makes it even more of a hot potato for the Donkeys. Will he or won't he? I think the Dems need to act on this soon---as in tomorrow---before it gets out of hand (hot potato pun intended). If Burris is seated and Blagojevich is indicted, the lieutenant governor has the right to name his own choice, thus bringing to 3 the number of senators from Illinois. That'd be just like having two popes, remember? One in Avignon, the other in Rome. Of course not, before your time. And that means then that the Supreme Court will have to get involved and decide. And we saw what a clusterfuck they bestowed upon us the last time they were called in.