Over the past year, candidate Obama promised a break from "politics as usual" -- something that I joined with millions of Americans in indeed hoping for. I did so because my entire time in public life has reinforced how needed change is from "politics as usual," and because for better or worse I have always tried to debate ideas on their merits.

Aren't Republicans just the cutest little things when they try to sound like grownups?

The "bipartisanship" that Sanford and the rest of the GOP leadership was hoping for was of the "Dems rollover for us" kind that they've enjoyed for the last oh-so-many years. And as with any politician, they view ideas of merit as those they can sell to their base, regardless of value.

The Constitution in Article I Sect 5:

Each House shall be the judge of the elections, returns and qualifications of its own members, and a majority of each shall constitute a quorum to do business; but a smaller number may adjourn from day to day, and may be authorized to compel the attendance of absent members, in such manner, and under such penalties as each House may provide.

pretty much says that the Senate can tell the Supremes, and any lower court, to go pound sand. I think that the US SC will recognize a ruling from them will be pretty much irrelevant and pass on hearing the case rather than risk looking impotent. The Minn SC ruling will be the prevailing one.

That said, I hope McConnell spends big bucks to find it out.

The governor is turning down $160 million for education, the Anchorage Daily News reports, along with $9 million for Health and Social Services, $7 million for Public Safety and $17 million in Department of Labor funding that would pay for things like unemployment services and vocational rehabilitation services -- that is, employment assistance for people with disabilities.

Because nobody wants a healthy, educated populace.

Will somebody tell the Senator from Arizona that this "generational theft" is a direct result of the class warfare that he has been an active participant in for more than 20 years?

When you use voodoo economics, you have to remember that there's a curse attached.

click on my sig to read the full letter.

It certainly is a bit of a self-serving whine, but he does bring up at least a shadow of a valid point, he is indeed being reviled and punished for events that he had no direct role in (at least as he tells it). But, that's the way of business, how many of those who are being laid-off actually had a direct role in the failure of their companies, divisions, or what have you? Yet, if they fall behind in their mortgage, they get to listen to some CNBC punk call them "losers".

He argues that a deal's a deal, and I suppose it is, but in this case I feel like a guy who's asked by a panhandler for $5 for a sandwich, gives it to him, and then sees him walk into a liquor store.

"Make no mistake: Anything other than an immediate and compliant, 'Why no sir, I don't want the president to fail,' is treated as some sort of act of treason, civil disobedience or political obstructionism," Jindal said. "My answer to the question is very simple: 'Do you want the president to fail?' It depends on what he is trying to do."

And having learned well from the GOP over the last few years, my response to you would be multiple choice:

1. "Why do you hate America?"
2. "Why don't you support our troops?"
3. "You're either with us, or the terrorists."

Choose whichever one you're more comfortable with.

You didn't actually expect the panhandler to use the $5 for a sandwich, didja?

Of course I did. Next thing I know, you'll be telling me that the Easter Bunny's not real, you nasty man ;-)

Actually, the SAAB 900 was introduced in 1978, mid-year IIRC. It was preceded by an odd vehicle that best described as the hood of a 99 grafted to the body of a 900, the Combi Coupe (actually it was a 99 hatchback with a tad more room).

My wife and I bought a '78 900 in 1980, when I was was in the Air Force. We had two kids of our own and the Toyota was getting a bit cramped. I think it was the only one on base.

We had that car for at least ten years and then sold it to a friend who got another five years out of it. It was a great car, but when it came time for another, SAAB had started producing some vehicles that could most charitably be referred to as mediocre.

It's not November, so STFU. We'll let you know when we need you again.

Gee thanks Harry. If politics is all about compromise, when will you compromise with us?

Quoth James Inhofe (Idiot-OK):

"I cannot believe what I heard today... President Obama is disarming America. Never before has a president so ravaged the military at a time of war."

We spend more on "defense" than the rest of the world combined, yet some people can never say "enough". Let's face it, the DoD budget isn't about defense, it's about jobs and corporate welfare.

Inhofe doesn't give a rat's ass about defense, except when it comes to defending his seat and to do that, he needs to bring home the bacon.

what Kansas O'Flaherty did for the comics.

"Republicans, and the NRSC in particular, remain committed to a full and fair resolution of this election contest and stand firmly behind Senator Norm Coleman."

Given that the Republican party has done everything they possibly could to knock those they consider to be likely Democratic voters off of the voting rolls, I'll have to say that the hypocrisy leaves me breathless.