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.

Bush Bypasses Cheney To Make Grab at Green Legacy

The Mariana Trench is to be made a National Marine Monument

Briefly front page news on NYTimes.com.

The Guardian corroborates their story.

Even Science backs them up.

On his way out the door, Bush has actually done something that the media seems to be accepting at face value. He has designated an area "195,280 square miles, an area larger than the states of Washington and Oregon combined" protected as National marine monuments by way of the federal Antiquities Act. Environmentalists are ecstatic. Commercial fishing is blocked. Scientific research is encouraged and from all reports, limited US military activity will be allowed but will not pose much danger to the area.

Of course this is great news. I'll be honest, though. I don't trust the goodness. Not from Bush. I'm all for the benefits to the wildlife and the underwater mountain ranges. But, there's got to be a limitation in there that will show itself in the form of some profiteer's disregard for life. 

A couple of things I'll be keeping my eye on:

"only the waters between the ocean floor and the rim of the Mariana Trench will be protected - not those rising from the rim to the surface of the water" 

and "mining and energy exploration within the protected areas" will go on.

Sen. Kennedy (NY), We Presumed All Along

 
Despite hemming and hawing and still cautioning from New York Governor David Paterson, the Associated Press reports that he's chosen Caroline Kennedy to fill incoming Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's senate seat.

Speaking to reporters at the Executive Mansion Thursday, Paterson said he's intended all along to select a candidate with long-term interest in the job, not some... "caretaker" (Jack Torrance from the Overlook anyone?) who would simply keep the seat warm until a special election in 2010.

Kennedy has taken mucho flak from naysayers who have questioned her lack of experience, although I think otherwise. She's a KENNEDY. Imagine all those family functions and dinners. What the hell's the topic of conversation, used cars?

Next up for the DNC is finding a job for Amy Carter. Ouch, babe!

2008: In No Particular Order

 
01/03/08: Obama wins Iowa
Obama's winning in a largely white rural state forced the MSM to think of a world without a President Clinton. That her campaign wasn't hitting on all cylinders didn't help her cause (though look at her now). Everything that followed was in some way a reaction to this moment. What better way to start the year than with a wake up call? - thebeigeone

03/24/08: Clinton "Mispeaks"
So, you've won a few primaries, you're showing you're a competitor, and the people are picking up on your foreign experience. You start talking about a previous diplomatic trip, and let's just say you stretch the facts a little, not thinking that anyone would check up on it, and they do. Oops. Obama remains stoic. - thebeigeone

8/08/08: Summer Olympics in Beijing Opens
Ah now, how clever. Get it? Eight/8/oh-eight. Amid all the "mind-blowing" hoopla and pomp-and-circumstance de rigueur with Olympic openings, freedom of speech was severely restricted, if not oppressively squashed by the totalitarian, Communist government. Two septuagenarians were sent to labour camps to be "re-educated," and promises that demonstrations would be allowed to go ahead without hindrance were reneged upon. Business as usual for the comrades in the Central Committee. A short while ago, the IOC formally commended China for a successful Games---a veritable slap in the face to human rights supporters. Make no mistake, there is a world of difference between Progressive Socialism and Communism. Ask an Englishman. And then go ask a Cuban who's being re-educated for just whistling in Fidel's (or Raul's) direction -- (S)wine


8/29/08: McCain chooses Sarah Palin as his running mate
This one literally writes itself. Senator John McCain throws a few names in a jar, pulls one out, and we're off to the races. Some disgruntled Hillary supporters sell their souls, a lot of Joe Sixpacks and the Plumbers find their spiritual leader, and Vladimir Putin shakes in his boots. - anna


11/26/08 Mumbai Under Terrorist Siege
At least 173 people were killed and 308 injured in the nighttime, terrorist attacks on India's financial capital and its largest city. While we all gave thanks to god-knows-what and overdosed on tryptophan with fatty gravy, Pakistani terrorists using automatic weapons and grenades wreaked havoc on the Taj Mahal Palace hotel and eight other sites before being subdued by Indian commandos. Ajmal Amir, the only terrorist (of ten) who was captured alive, disclosed that the attackers were members of Lashkar-e-Toiba, the Pakistan-based militant organization, considered a terrorist organization by India, the United States, and the United Kingdom, among others. This is yet another tragic example debunking the Bush administration's excuse (Fear) for its awful governance and abuse of power. No American, or other citizen for that matter, is safe from terrorism anywhere. Those who believes otherwise and vote based on the security platform are being sold a suspension bridge in Brooklyn. -- (S)wine

12/22-ish/08 Bush & Cheney Give Exit Interviews
After eight years of disastrous commanding-in-chiefing, Bush and Cheney leave the White House sounding strikingly different notes. Bush sounds reflective, even chastened. He expresses regrets about not achieving an overhaul of immigration laws, and not changing the partisan tone in Washington. Cheney goes down unbowed, defiant to the end: “I feel very good about what we did,” the vice president told The Washington Times, adding, “If I was faced with those circumstances again, I’d do exactly the same thing.”
Thank Shiva for term limits and good riddance! -- (S)wine

12/26/08 Jews vs. Palestinians: Gaza (ch. 674)
What I fear the most is that the incoming administration will get so bogged down in brokering some sort of ceasefire for the historic clusterfuck that has been Gaza, that national issues such as sustainability, changing to a "green" economy, and extricating ourselves from the dependence on oil will take a back seat. Perhaps so much so, that we'll never see a move toward true change. Arab states who have been vociferous and supportive of the Palestinian cause have done absolutely NOTHING to help their brothers. In fact, there's as much criticism from within the Palestinian community for Egypt's refusal to open up their borders to refugees, as there is toward Israel's repeated incursions into Gaza. -- (S)wine

"Barack the Magic Negro"

 
I wasn't initially appalled when I got word of this piece in the NY Times a couple of days ago. After all the garbage that was slung on the campaign trail by the McPalin consortium, this sort of radical, racist horseshit was par for the course from conservative extremists. I was, however, absolutely flabbergasted that the GOP would give this racist bullshit mixed reviews.

It's unfathomable to me, now almost a decade into the 21st century, that this despicable act is not unanimously condemned by all. "Barack the Magic Negro" (sung to the tune of "Puff the Magic Dragon") was distributed by Chip Saltsman, a candidate for GOP party chairman from Tennessee. The offensive jingle was of course broadcast on Rush "Is a Big Fat Idiot" Limbaugh's radio show.

Speaking to The Hill newspaper on Friday, Saltsman described it as a “light-hearted” gift that would be received in “good humor” by members of the Republican National Committee.

Thankfully, more than a couple of important party handfulls---Newt Gingrich and RNC party chairman Mike Duncan among them---have condemned the parody, declaring themselves shocked and appalled. However, on Saturday, black candidate for RNC chairman, J. Kenneth Blackwell (a former Ohio secretary of state) dismissed the hoopla as “hypersensitivity.”

“All competitors for this leadership position are fine people,” he wrote in an e-mail message.

Are they now? I bet they brush their teeth with Darkie Toothpaste and get served breakfast by Mamie The House Negro every morning before they head out to that sacred institution on the Hill to pass their legislative, racist nonsense.

For a party that had huge losses this year among minority voters, this ought to be the last, revolting straw that brings down the house. But fine, call me a humourless twit. I can get down with the best of the cockroaches and play that game too. I move for a counter-version titled "God The Magik Cracka" sung/rapped by Chuck D. from Public Enemy. That ought to take care of all GOP-ers and evangelicals alike, and ensure all-out, Bible-thumping riots throughout this great virtuous land of ours.

It's Over!

 
Never mind the honeymoon, the whole bloody thing is off.

I've been on the brink of dropping The Huffington Post from my daily reading/list of sources for a few weeks now, but yesterday's retarded lead piece did it. As I read through, my blood started boiling. You know, figuratively an' all. This kind of mindless fluff is for the likes of the National Enquirer or People magazine--definitely not my cup of reading tea. It's quite a shame; Arianna started off on the right foot on May 9, 2005 when she launched the site billed as an "intellectual blog," but something has gone awry the last six months in particular.

A scroll down through the initial couple dozen comments accompanying this piece finds nothing but "oohs" and "aaahs" and "Man, I'd do him" - type declarations. Not to be a prude, but I truly was expecting at least a handful of people basically calling Arianna on the shit of a story this truly is. No suh, nothing even remotely close. We're neck-deep into a devastating recession, industry going down le proverbial toah-leh, and people are more interested in O's perfectly-sculpted man tits and gym habits. Holy Time To Recalibrate Your Priorities, Batman!

This is the usual, infernal mantra of news outlets "giving the people what they want" bullshit. Numbers, kids, numbers! Right? For shits and giggles, how about giving the reader quality, fact-checked journalism? Actually SET THE AGENDA instead of feeding the mediocre tastes of the masses who are willing to swallow anything you hand out anyway. Why not serve some real meat and potatoes?

So then...that's that. We're through, the two of us. I'm breaking up with The Huff Post. To paraphrase George Costanza: (S)wine has hand, baby! And there's nothin' anybody can do about it.

I Don't Really Understand The Thinking Here...

I'm still scratching my head with the news of who was named to be the Secretary of Transportation. I can't fathom why Obama has gone with Republican Congressman Ray LaHood from downstate Illinois.

Now, having lived in Illinois, I know LaHood's name. But I didn't really know that much about him. A little bit of Internet searching and I find nothing in his credentials that makes him a good choice for the Transportation Secretary. Let's look at the House committees he's on:

Appropriations
Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence
Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies
Subcommittee on Legislative Branch

Even the non-legislative caucuses he is on don't really give him any transportation experience. The only thing that comes close is the Congressional Travel and Tourism Caucus, and that's not really about transportation. Who knows, maybe he is in charge of renting the bus, as the co-founder of the Congressional Bipartisan Retreat Committee, for their outings to Atlantic City.

He has been the director of a planning commission before, but that's about as close as he gets at all.

Obama has said he is going to push for a huge infrastructure project when he takes office. That means, if you don't already know, fixing bridges and roads, building new public transit systems and expanding old ones, among other things. If you are going to have the biggest infrastructure project since the Great Depression, don't you want a guy running the Department of Transportation who really knows what he's doing?

I'm mostly disappointed by who didn't get it. After the election, when all the newspapers started speculating who would get each position, the short list for Transportation included the name James Oberstar. He's a Democratic Congressman from Minnesota. Let's take a look at his committees. First and foremost, he is the Chair of the Transportation & Infrastructure Committee. And he also sits on the all the subcommittees for Transportation & Infrastructure:
een wheels, four wheels, two wheels, feet, rubber on asphalt, steel on steel, electric power, combustion power and human power. Oberstar knows it all when it comes to transportation.

Now it is quite possible that Oberstar was asked and he declined. It could be that he is more valuable in his current position than as the head of the president's department. I would have to agree, generally. But Obama could find somebody in between a guy who knows it all about transportation and a guy that knows nothing?

My big fear is that Obama sees this department the same way that Bush does, as an unimportant one. One that he uses as a bone to throw at the other party so that he can claim to have a "bipartisan" cabinet. This is exactly how Bush used it, putting the only Democrat in his cabinet in this post. Though at least I'm fairly confident Obama won't use it to try to kill Amtrak.

But the Senate should have some questions ready for Mr. LaHood. I have a few I would ask, and they are not even political or agenda questions. He has a record of voting for funding for Amtrak and transit, so I'm not against this appointment on ideological grounds. But I want to know if he has the basic knowledge to run this department. So here are my suggestions to the senators who will be in the confirmation hearing:

Congressman LaHood, can you tell us what a catenary is and how it is used in transportation?

If he misses the first question he should get an automatic "no" vote. If he can answer it correctly, then continue down the list:

What are the benefits and downsides to running electric trains on overhead catenary wire versus third-rail power?

What is the fundamental difference between light rail transit and heavy equipment rail transit? Can you give examples of why you would choose one over the other in specific situations?

How many track miles does Amtrak serve? Which states are not served by Amtrak?

What is Amtrak's yearly operating subsidy and ticket revenue? How did 2007 rank in Amtrak ridership levels compared to past years?

How much federal money was spent last fiscal year on mass transportation and how much on roads?

What are the fundamental differences between commuter rail, regional rail, long-distance trains and the passengers they serve?

These are a few of the questions I would ask just to see if he knows what the hell he is doing at all. I would also ask about long-term plans for Amtrak expansion and urban mass transit, as well as his thoughts on the plans for a nationwide high-speed rail network and what timeline for its implementation he would like to see.

If LaHood could answer the majority of these questions I would feel a lot better about him running such an important department.

But as it stands right now, I think this is by far the weakest cabinet appointment Obama has made.