The Dem caucus was split between those who voted for it, and those who refused to continue funding the Iraq invasion and occupation.
You might guess that gleeful House Republicans jumped to vote with the first group to split the Dem caucus, right?
Wrong.
These brave chickenhawks are so wedded to their obstructionist agenda, they all chose to vote "present". Meaning, we're here, but we won't vote for or against this measure, which allowed it to die on the floor of Congress.
So, when you see the ad telling you Dems are going to strand our troops in Iraq without support, remember these names Texas.
Trust old Bible thumping Bigot Cornyn to start talking about the National Marriage Amendment yet again on the day the California Supreme Court rules against the laws and statues banning Gay Marriage in California.
John Culberson (R-TX): ...it contains provisions that have nothing to do with our troop's survival and safety in the field. To burden our troops with pork, with tax increases, with special provisions that have nothing to do with the war, adds to, I think, the obvious misuse of the process and I urge members to vote against the pork and support our troops.
Obey: I yield myself 30 seconds...I'd like the gentleman from Texas to point out a single piece of member pork in this bill.
Culberson: Does the gentleman yield?
Obey: Yes.
Culberson: Mr., Mr. Chairman, there's a number of un-un-unnecessary provisions in this...
Obey: Name one.
Culberson: Well, why are we separating out, sir, why aren't we just passing...
This is a historic day in GLBT History. Today the California Supreme Court ruled that the laws and statues banning gay marriage in California was unconstitutional. This has been a long awaited day and decision. The courts concurring and dissenting opinions are available here.
Rick Perry is a FOOL...
BUT you liberal whackjobs on the site think that you're the only ones who know anything and that anyone affiliated with the Republican party is automatically bad for America. I've been monitoring this site and all its self absorbed occupants for some time now and I now realize that regardless of who wins, this country is screwed; sometimes things have to get worse before they get better. I used to be a Republican, then I became Democrat, now I think it might be best if I just abandon both parties. They're both so royally screwed up.
He sounds a lot like my wife, and a lot of other people I know, like and respect. I think he is wrong about this site, especially wrong about me and finally, misguided in his "solution" I tell you why on the flipside.
CNN's Mike Roselli and Suzanne Malveaux have confirmed that former Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards will endorse Barack Obama at a Michigan campaign event about an hour from now.
Obama will come on stage in Grand Rapids and say he has a special guest to introduce, followed by the appearance of Edwards himself.
He sent a letter to former Secretary of State and now Texas Republican Victory 2008 chair, Roger Williams. Apparently, Cornyn is now offering his loyal followers a little incentive to do some campaigning for him.
Follow me on the flip for the door prize (Read the whole letter over at KXAN.com).
(Get up and get active to take Texas back. - promoted by boadicea)
I'm going to write about two great events this weekend, but I'm sure there are many more. Saturday at 1 PM, there's the kickoff for the Coordinated Campaign at Nuevo Leon Restaurant, 1501 East 6th Street. We have this great thing in Travis County - the Coordinated Campaign. You can go into one office, and help every Democrat in Travis County. You can pick up any- and everyone's literature, you can make calls from a central list - you can help everyone. Come to the kick off rally Saturday (wear sunscreen!) and hear all the great speeches, talk with your friends, and get fired up to win in November. (Meaning - figure out how much time you can spend and set up a schedule for volunteering)
So you are wondering what the Cheese Tray Awards are? It is very simple. One of my favorite sayings is "Do you want some cheese to go with that whine?" I plan to start awarding the Cheese Tray Awards to the biggest whiners in politics and boy do we have a lot of them today.
Follow me below the fold to see the Biggest Whiners in Politics.
Answer: Perry and the Republican legislative majority knew. But "get my ass re-elected and damn the consequences tax cuts" were always more important than serving the well being of Texas school children.
I have blogged on this again and again. On this issue, it hurts to be right, over and over again. It really is about the children and how a cabal of useless drones and greedy time servers served themselves at the expense of our future.
It's Monday, and that means it's time to show some love for the best posts from the members of the Texas Progressive Alliance for the preceding week. Check out the best that the Alliance has to offer, brought to you this week by refinish69 at Doing My Part For The Left.
I am always concerned when I blog. I want to offer my readers something more than just a rehash of the headlines. Additionally, I don't want to be one of those bloggers who are basically one song wonders. But, what am I do to do when Rick and his Republican buddies are revealed over and over again as the incompetent , greedy hypocrites that they are?
(Jamie Leigh Jones is an American hero who deserves our support. Many thanks, cactusflinthead, for sharing this diary with us. - promoted by boadicea)
Hooray for U.S. District Judge Keith P. Ellison not compelling her to go to arbitration. Obviously Halliburton and KBR wanted this kept quiet. Jamie Leigh Jones absolutely refuses to go away quietly; Testifying before Congress , allowing her name to be published, going on Dan Abrams and pursuing the trial. The AP story that ran in the Fort Worth Star-Telegram is given more treatment later.
I am so glad that the judge did not shuffle this under the rug of arbitration. It is much more available to public scrutiny in a courtroom than in an arbitrator's hands. The rape kit evidence was given to the security for KBR by the doctor. She was held for 24 hrs, imprisoned in a shipping container with armed guards. One of the guards actually let her use his cell phone and she called her dad. Who had already contacted Ted Poe(TX-02). Who got on the job immediately.
The little bitty Tribune"I became involved in this issue nearly three years ago when my constituent called me asking for help for his daughter, Jamie Leigh Jones," Poe stated in written testimony. "The United States government has a responsibility to protect American civilians who work in support of an American military mission overseas. The government affords these protections to American citizens on American soil and to American soldiers in combat, but the government doesn't know how to react when the crime involves contractors. This is unacceptable."
Apparently she at least gets to bring this to a civil trial, even if there is no shot at criminal charges. KBR and Halliburton did not want any sort of trial. I am sure they were willing to pay her off, but she doesn't want to hide. Public disclosure of the events is at the core of her effort.
Star-TelegramWashington-based attorney Stephanie Morris said her client is pleased that she will have the opportunity to bring attention to the case.
"We are extremely excited we can now go forward and present the case in the public arena and make the public aware of what been going on overseas in Iraq. Halliburton has ratified gross sexual conduct by their failure to act," Morris said.
snip
Halliburton's attorneys argued in March that the employment agreement Jones signed says any claims made by an employee against the company that in any way touch on his or her employment have to be settled through arbitration, in which a third party would resolve the case through a private hearing process.
The decision by U.S. District Judge Keith P. Ellison says the court will not compel the plaintiff to go to arbitration for her claims related to being assaulted. However, those claims cannot be pursued until other workplace-related claims are arbitrated.
"We entirely conceded those could go to arbitration," Morris said.
This is not going away for KBR. This is going to be nasty and rude. I want to hear how they defend themselves. It is not going to be pleasant for Jamie Leigh Jones by any stretch. No, it will surely mean her being cast as a willing participant in her own rape. But, despite the attacks that will come and have come her way already, she is willing to pursue this case in the full light of the public arena. I applaud her for her continued struggle against KBR and for the District judge not allowing KBR to sweep this under the rug. This was a decision for disclosure and openness.
She even has a foundation now to help others who suffered through similar circumstances.
Jamie's FoundationThe Jamie Leigh Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping United States citizens and legal residents who are victims of crime while working abroad for government contractors and subcontractors. We demand government contract corporations and government entities to act responsibly, and be held accountable to provide a work environment free of sexual harassment, and limit the potential for abuse. We insist contractors to disclose criminal activity to employees and prospective employees so that they can make educated decisions regarding their safety. We work toward the day when all US citizen contractors will be able to work without fear, consternation, and safety concerns.
It is sad that we have to have a foundation to protect people who should not have to worry about such things. I hope they take KBR for millions.I hope the Congress acts soon to enact laws to prosecute the lawless contractors, not only for crimes like this, but they myriad of other laws that have been utterly ignored. Sounds like I ought to fire off another email to Chet Edwards.
This is my first venture into Texas Kaos. It was requested that I cross-post this from the Evil Orange Thanks for the invite.
John McCain's wobbily responses to questions about his solicitation of Rev. John (anti-Catholic, etc.) Hagee's endorsement will be bad enough for Republicans to defend.
McCain, however, isn't the only Republican who may have to defend getting close in any way to Hagee and his ilk.
In the first frames of the video below, notice who is standing at Hagee's right side. As you'll see below, that person is Sen. John Cornyn, and after seeing the frame in the clip, is it any wonder that he is having so much trouble overcoming the challenge from Democratic opponent Rick Noriega?
