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[planar1280]

Think of this story as The Republicans are the government, the children as the citizens analogy and it is a perfect illustration:

http://www.wiscnews.com/baraboonewsrepublic/news/local/article_ce1e6c7a-bfd0-11e0-ac05-001cc4c002e0.html

PORTAGE - The chairwoman of the Republican Party of Columbia County resigned after saying she drove under the influence of alcohol on Thursday with three children in her car.
Amber Hahn ann-ounced her resignation in a news release she sent to the Portage Daily Register on Friday afternoon.
"On the evening of August 4, 2011 I made a terrible decision to attempt to navigate a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol," she said in the release. "In fact my children ages 4, 6 and 8 were also in the vehicle. It is clear to me now that I have lost focus and I am trying to do too much. I have an addiction to alcohol and need to address it."
Hahn, 35, is the chairwoman of the Republican Party of Columbia County; a newly-elected Poynette School Board member; a volunteer firefighter with the Poynette-Dekorra Fire Department and chairwoman of the American Women in Agriculture House Management Committee. She lives in rural Poynette.
According to Columbia County District Attorney Jane Kohlwey, the incident took place about 9 p.m. Thursday on Old B and Raddatz roads in the town of Springvale. Kohlwey confirmed there were three children in the vehicle - all of whom, she said, were taken by ambulance to Divine Savior Healthcare to be checked for injuries. Hahn was taken by squad car to Divine Savior for blood testing, Kohlwey said.
Hahn said that while driving under the influence of alcohol Thursday there was an accident, that no one was hurt and that on other vehicles were involved. The Columbia County Sheriff's Office arrived at the scene from the OnStar alert in her car, she said.
Hahn said she's been overwhelmed by the amount of work she took on, but that alcohol hasn't been a long-term issue.
"Not long, but long enough that it's something that needs to be addressed," she said.
Hahn's grandfather is former Republican State Rep. Eugene Hahn, who had about an 18-year tenure in the Wisconsin State Assembly.
"Everyone is of course sad and concerned, and I think the statement (in the news release) speaks for itself," Amber Hahn said.
Adam Field, treasurer for the Republican Party of Columbia County, said Hahn's resignation was unexpected and he had not heard of the incident until contacted by the Daily Register.
"We're certainly sad for Amber and her family, and we'll certainly keep her and her family in our prayers as they go through this difficult time. The organization will do our best to move forward and advocate for the Republican principles in Columbia County," Field, of Portage, said.
Kohlwey, who ran for district attorney as a Republican, said she asked a special prosecutor from Dane County to handle the case due to Hahn's position in the Columbia County Republican Party and due to Kohlwey's friendship with her.
Kohlwey said Hahn is scheduled to appear at 2 p.m. Monday in Columbia County Circuit Court with the special prosecutor.
She is free on a $2,000 signature bond, with typical bond conditions, including no alcohol consumption, no operation of a motor vehicle and no ingestion of controlled substances unless they are prescribed.
"I am deeply sorry for any impact my lack of responsibility will have on the people who serve and benefit from these organizations. Please pray for my family and I, and the continued success of these organizations," she said in the news release.

What is even true is that like Children, the American voters will still vote for these Republicans (MOMMY) to be on their side.

 

[GaimeGuy]

because no one else will take the job most likely (also, lol at a confirmation in this atmosphere)

I remember at the end of June there were over 1400 appointments being blocked in the senate (400 of which were for temporary positions)

SMH

 

[Invisible_Insane]

Probably because someone in the Senate would place a secret hold on his replacement's appointment.

I'm sure Obama wants to keep the number of appointments he has to make to a minimum, since they get held up by saboteurs.

He doesn't even have the liberty of making recess appointments.

 

[reilo]

I remember at the end of June there were over 1400 appointments being blocked in the senate (400 of which were for temporary positions)

SMH

Hahahaha well that answers my question.

 

[Novid]

Has Obama been even able to fill 50% of his appointments yet? How many have dropped out simply because they got tired of waiting months -- even years?

easy answer no.

 

[eznark]

He doesn't even have the liberty of making recess appointments.

Well when the President is nominating people like the intern from 30 Rock, can you really blame the GOP?

 

[GaimeGuy]

It's so ridiculous. We're 2.7ish years into his presidency and there's nearly 1500 positions in his administration unfilled.

 

[gcubed]

He doesn't even have the liberty of making recess appointments.

i'd be a horrible politician.

Why is he still employed?

having to ask that question proves that you indeed are not smarter then Obama

 

[Invisible_Insane]

Mitt Romney is cutting Obama some slack.

Can someone think of a clever flip-flop/weathervane joke? I'm all out.

http://i.imgur.com/ynmE8.jpg[IMG]

Well when the President is nominating people like the intern from 30 Rock, can you really blame the GOP?[/QUOTE]
Goddamnit, I'm never going to unsee that.

 

[ToxicAdam]

Has Obama been even able to fill 50% of his appointments yet? How many have dropped out simply because they got tired of waiting months -- even years?

Obama's being timid on this. He could force them through if he wanted to.

http://news.opb.org/article/while_on_summer_recess_congress_blocks_recess_appointments/

 

[Novid]

It seems as the banks will start eating each other alive.

 

[gcubed]

Obama's being timid on this. He could force them through if he wanted to.

http://news.opb.org/article/while_on_summer_recess_congress_blocks_recess_appointments/

how?

 

[Bulbo Urethral Baggins]

having to ask that question proves that you indeed are not smarter then Obama

I'm too smart to take that bait.

 

[ToxicAdam]

how?

According to this 2010 Congressional Research Service report [PDF], the Constitution doesn’t actually say how long the Senate must be in recess before the President may make a recess appointment

Overall, President Obama has made relatively few recess appointments. The New York Times noted that he’s made 15—which the White House openly announced last year, citing "Republican obstruction"—compared to President Bush’s 171 and President Clinton’s 139 recess appointments.

?

 

[gcubed]

?

well, i guess he should have been smarter in order to make recess appointments before 2010 knowing he wouldn't get another recess.

i mean you had to actively quit in the middle of a sentence to make your point

but in 1993, the Justice Department suggested that the number was three days.

 

[besada]

jesus

The Obama administration prosecuting Fox News under RICO statues. And eznark said there wouldn't be any entertainment.

It seems as the banks will start eating each other alive.

 

[GhaleonEB]

Obama's being timid on this. He could force them through if he wanted to.

http://news.opb.org/article/while_on_summer_recess_congress_blocks_recess_appointments/

The article you cite shows how Obama's ability to make recess appointments has been blocked by Republicans in the Senate. How exactly is Obama to get around this?

It's actually Harry Reid that this rests with. He could filibuster the motion to enter pro forma recess, and keep the GOP in session through the entire break. They would cave.

Overall, President Obama has made relatively few recess appointments. The New York Times noted that he’s made 15—which the White House openly announced last year, citing "Republican obstruction"—compared to President Bush’s 171 and President Clinton’s 139 recess appointments.

The Senate has been doing pro forma sessions since his last round of recess appointments. He hasn't been able to be aggressive.

 

[eznark]

i mean you had to actively quit in the middle of a sentence to make your point

heh

 

[gcubed]

The article you cite shows how Obama's ability to make recess appointments has been blocked by Republicans in the Senate. How exactly is Obama to get around this?

It's actually Harry Reid that this rests with. He could filibuster the motion to enter pro forma recess, and keep the GOP in session through the entire break. They would cave.

Obama celebrates his 50th birthday and the mental midgets go apeshit, but hey, our country is in perfect order, lets take a month off. Fuckwits

 

[ToxicAdam]

well, i guess he should have been smarter in order to make recess appointments before 2010 knowing he wouldn't get another recess.

i mean you had to actively quit in the middle of a sentence to make your point

I didn't imply there wouldn't be a fight to be had. It seems impossible to imagine a court ruling against Obama given the evidence on hand.

 

[gcubed]

I didn't imply there wouldn't be a fight to be had. It seems impossible to imagine a court ruling against Obama given the evidence on hand.

i'm sure at this point in his administration its just easier to wait until the election.

 

[planar1280]

How does a non-functioning government function for American people when GOP are blocking recess appointments?

 

[ToxicAdam]

i'm sure at this point in his administration its just easier to wait until the election.

Pretty much. The bullet point of 'x amount of appointees being blocked' (as an example of Republican obstruction) carries more power than actually getting people elected and working for a year.

 

[Particle Physicist]

Obama's being timid on this. He could force them through if he wanted to.

http://news.opb.org/article/while_on_summer_recess_congress_blocks_recess_appointments/

Huh? That article talks about Republicans blocking recess appointments.

 

[gcubed]

Pretty much. The bullet point of 'x amount of appointees being blocked' (as an example of Republican obstruction) carries more power than actually getting people elected and working for a year.

you'd have to fight a previously given opinion of the justice department. The appointments would most likely not be able to serve until the rules are clarified. So whats the difference?

 

[mckmas8808]

Why is Donald Trump on CNN right now talking about the S&P downgrade? UGH!

 

[gcubed]

Why is Donald Trump on CNN right now talking about the S&P downgrade? UGH!

because if anyone knows a thing or two about bankrupting something, its Donald Trump

 

[empty vessel]

Why is Donald Trump on CNN right now talking about the S&P downgrade? UGH!

Because it's entertaining, and creating audiences to sell to advertisers is CNN's business.

 

[planar1280]

sigh.... There have been two revolutions in America. One had patriots who founded America while one had 'patriots' who will destroy America.

 

[RustyNails]

well...

http://www.jpost.com/DiplomacyAndPolitics/Article.aspx?id=232185

Last minute pathetic begging by Israel so Palestinians don't go to UN for statehood next month. I hope the Palestinians don't fall for Israel's bullshit, and go full speed ahead. They had their chance for the last 20 years, so why all of a sudden now?

 

[polyh3dron]

Why is Donald Trump on CNN right now talking about the S&P downgrade? UGH!

because he's likely to say something crazy which will get more ratings.

edit: beaten

 

[Invisible_Insane]

Last minute pathetic begging by Israel so Palestinians don't go to UN for statehood next month. I hope the Palestinians don't fall for Israel's bullshit, and go full speed ahead. They had their chance for the last 20 years, so why all of a sudden now?

I mean, I'm all for pandering if it has a chance of producing positive outcomes. It just seems really unlikely that that'll happen.

 

[Veezy]

I'm sure this will be covered in the thread for the hacking scandal but this is an interesting turn of events:

source

But...

How am I going to go into my Fox reporter mode if they're gone?! Manatees and Spongebob need to be rallied against. The only thing keeping them in check right now is concern and love from people like the Fox & Friends crew.

Tide goes in! Tide goes out! Come on Obama! I knew he was a Zombie, Nazi, Muslim, Socialist, Communist, Terrorist, Liberal scumbag!

 

[ToxicAdam]

you'd have to fight a previously given opinion of the justice department. The appointments would most likely not be able to serve until the rules are clarified. So whats the difference?

That opinion is not binding, merely observed by two administrations. There is precedent of a president breaking that timeframe (Teddy Roosevelt).

It's really not the appointments that would be the fight, it would be ending the farce that is the pro-forma sessions.

At the end of the George W. Bush administration, Democrats in the Senate used an innovative strategy to block recess appointments: they stopped taking recesses. Now, House Republicans are trying to block Obama's recess appointments with the same tactic. The key is the Article I Constitutional rule that neither House of Congress can "adjourn for more than three days" on its own, so if the House doesn't take a recess, then the Senate can't, at least for more than the three days that would allow for appointments under the current interpretation (which, remember, is not necessarily binding).

However, Public Citizen's David Arkush points everyone to an Article II provision, which says that "in Case of Disagreement between them [HOUSE AND SENATE], with Respect to the Time of Adjournment, he may adjourn them to such Time as he shall think proper." Arkush interprets this to mean that if the two Houses disagree on whether to take a recess or not, the president would be able to resolve the dispute.

http://plainblogaboutpolitics.blogspot.com/2011/06/recess-appointments-guide-first-draft.html

Much like filabusters, does Obama really want to cripple/tackle a stalling tactic that his own party has used in the past and will likely use in the future? I'm guessing no.

 

[planar1280]

I know it is a bit too late to ask but if Tea Party/GOP supporters can answer this:

Suppose I have a $10,000 credit card debt and 1000$ in income and have $50 a month to pay off the debt. How long would it take for me to pay it off with interest.

Now imagine if I had an increase in revenue from 1000$ to $1300 a month in income and have $350 a month to pay off a debt, how long would it take me to pay off with interest.

 

[GhaleonEB]

Why is Donald Trump on CNN right now talking about the S&P downgrade? UGH!

This has been covered, but to make the point more clear, shed yourself of the mistaken impression that CNN is a news organization. They are in the entertainment business, and Trump delivers ratings on that front.

 

[RustyNails]

How did I personally attack him? How was my response unreasoned? You can't legitimately answer these questions so you tell me to "fack off". And then you spew some bullshit about fucking and third world ideals of having children? I also never stated that his parents shouldn't have that many children. I asked why they did and the question wasn't answered. I am fucking liberal and wear it as a badge of honor just like you wear your supposed centrism as one. This screed you posted reeks of bullshit and evasion and your elitism about where you stand is just as much a pile of shit as the next. But you can't see that either because you are above it all, aren't you? Fucking pathetic.

How did you personally attack him? By calling him a drain on society and asking him why does he have so many siblings. If you would ask that in any polite setting, you'd get swiftly punched hard in the nose. You're an absolute disgrace to liberals. Such a wonderful beacon of tolerance and acceptance. I'm not above anything. I can simply understand the world much better than you do, which gives me the ability to relate to anyone be they from shanty huts or from condos. Whereas you're coming off as a total narcissistic asshole who had a little too many gerber's organic fruit mix while growing up.

 

[ReBurn]

http://plainblogaboutpolitics.blogspot.com/2011/06/recess-appointments-guide-first-draft.html

Much like filabusters, does Obama really want to cripple/tackle a stalling tactic that his own party has used in the past and will likely use in the future? I'm guessing no.

Your comment brought this article to mind:

http://www.slate.com/id/2244060/

I remember having a conversation with someone about this years ago when the Republicans were in control of the Senate and Democrats were using a filibuster to block voting. He explained to me that the minority party needs a way to prevent the majority party from abusing their power.

Now, I'm not falling on either side of whether filibusters are good or bad. But I think they can be a valid tool when the Senate is not voting in line with the wishes of the electorate. I haven't really given it much thought beyond that, though.

 

[gcubed]

Your comment brought this article to mind:

http://www.slate.com/id/2244060/

I remember having a conversation with someone about this years ago when the Republicans were in control of the Senate and Democrats were using a filibuster to block voting. He explained to me that the minority party needs a way to prevent the majority party from abusing their power.

Now, I'm not falling on either side of whether filibusters are good or bad. But I think they can be a valid tool when the Senate is not voting in line with the wishes of the electorate. I haven't really given it much thought beyond that, though.

i dont mind a hold as long as 1) there is a timeline and 2) a valid reason in response to the person that is continually discussed, not just brought up and then gone for 6 months. You shouldn't be able to stall an appointment because you want to trade it for some piece of legislation.

I'm also fine with filibusters if its so that a threat of filibuster doesnt kill things. Bring back the old filibuster rules where you need to actively filibuster it.

 

[reilo]

The problem with the filibuster is that it's become a tool for the minority to abuse their power and prevent the majority from enacting laws that the electorate voted them in for.

 

[mckmas8808]

I feel so sorry for you Americans. Your electoral system is broken in that it only allows for two parties, and the only conceivable "third" party or ideology of any sort atm is the Tea Party, so you've got Centre-Right, Right, or Far-Right to choose from, and there's no way that the Dems or Reps would ever pass anything to change it because it's in their interests.

Two party politics don't work.

Well it's seems to have worked for about 200 years so.....

 

[gcubed]

Well it's seems to have worked for about 200 years so.....

? you do realize that in the grand scheme of things thats not very impressive.

 

[milanbaros]

Well it's seems to have worked for about 200 years so.....

200 years! You know that really isn't very long.

 

[mernst23]

I know it is a bit too late to ask but if Tea Party/GOP supporters can answer this:

Suppose I have a $10,000 credit card debt and 1000$ in income and have $50 a month to pay off the debt. How long would it take for me to pay it off with interest.

Now imagine if I had an increase in revenue from 1000$ to $1300 a month in income and have $350 a month to pay off a debt, how long would it take me to pay off with interest.

Tea Party logic is that the extra $300 automatically goes into new programs and budget increases into planned parenthood and NPR.

 

[planar1280]

200 years! You know that really isn't very long.

it's not the electoral system. it is the people who participate in it. primarily the voters. the percentage of people went down considerably since the early 1900s. Every non-vote is a vote for the crazy people

 

[ReBurn]

The problem with the filibuster is that it's become a tool for the minority to abuse their power and prevent the majority from enacting laws that the electorate voted them in for.

Assuming that the representatives of another party were voted in to do something different, how is it an abuse if the minority party's mandate is contrary to what the majority party is trying to enact?

I don't believe that just because a party is in power that they should just be able to do whatever they want to do without some sort of check. Even if they were voted in to do it. There's a reason why most votes require more than a simple majority in the Senate.

That said, if it isn't used in good faith I'm not sure it's a good idea.

 

[Invisible_Insane]

Assuming that the representatives of another party were voted in to do something different, how is it an abuse if the minority party's mandate is contrary to what the majority party is trying to enact?

I don't believe that just because a party is in power that they should just be able to do whatever they want to do without some sort of check. Even if they were voted in to do it. There's a reason why most votes require more than a simple majority in the Senate.

That said, if it isn't used in good faith I'm not sure it's a good idea.

It wasn't this bad in THE CIVIL RIGHTS ERA.

 

[Bulbo Urethral Baggins]

200 years! You know that really isn't very long.

World's Oldest Democracy -TM

 

[ToxicAdam]

It wasn't this bad in THE CIVIL RIGHTS ERA.

If southern democrats were republicans, it would have been.

 

[Byakuya769]

If southern democrats were republicans, it would have been.

Well, they voted with them and later became Republicans.

Edit - Financial reporting really pisses me off with attaching whatever bit of news to the market's actions on that day. Apparently the markets are sliding because of Freddie and Fannie's downgrade. Ah ok.