and it seems that I can see...
Alright, so I've been back since late Friday night. I'm busy readjusting and will post a post some time this week on what DC is, what I learned, etc.
Sunday, November 22, 2009
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Intrigue
I'm jealous that someone I know actually speaks North Sami so she understands what they're saying. Regardless, it's a great song!
Thursday, November 12, 2009
The Rules of the Political Spectrum: Use or Lose!
The Rules of the Political Spectrum: Use or Lose!
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I found this post over at Cassandra's and it made great sense. For some reason, unbeknownst to me, I have never been able to properly explain to people (despite being a polisci major) what a republic actually is in its essence as a government. This video does a phenomenal job of explaining it, as well as explaining away a few of the popular historical myths that have come into our history over the years. My only point of contention is the video is that anarchy is short; after all, it can be argued Somalia is an anarchic state and has been since 1991 but that is dependent on where in Somalia you go.
We, in the political science world, would define Somalia as a failed state. For any state to be officially considered a state, three conditions must be present: 1) There must be a territory for a government to rule over. 2) There must be a government to rule over the territory and 3) There must be recognition from at least one other state abroad. If anyone of these three conditions is taken away, the state becomes a failed state.
Take that video as a warning; right now we are dangerously close to becoming an oligarchy, or a dictatorship if you will. We must stop that!
Posted using ShareThis
I found this post over at Cassandra's and it made great sense. For some reason, unbeknownst to me, I have never been able to properly explain to people (despite being a polisci major) what a republic actually is in its essence as a government. This video does a phenomenal job of explaining it, as well as explaining away a few of the popular historical myths that have come into our history over the years. My only point of contention is the video is that anarchy is short; after all, it can be argued Somalia is an anarchic state and has been since 1991 but that is dependent on where in Somalia you go.
We, in the political science world, would define Somalia as a failed state. For any state to be officially considered a state, three conditions must be present: 1) There must be a territory for a government to rule over. 2) There must be a government to rule over the territory and 3) There must be recognition from at least one other state abroad. If anyone of these three conditions is taken away, the state becomes a failed state.
Take that video as a warning; right now we are dangerously close to becoming an oligarchy, or a dictatorship if you will. We must stop that!
Sunday, November 8, 2009
"The Worst Part Is Knowing What Will Happen and Yet There Is Nothing You Can Do About It"
Friday, November 6th: approximately 10:10 p.m.
"Go!" a friend yelled to me. I decided, "Why not, what do I have to lose? It might still be open!" I had been watching the addresses of Pete Hoekstra and Steve King, two Members of the House adamantly opposed to the takeover, on CSPAN. They had just acknowledged some observers in the House gallery. I was not planning on going out; I already had done that the two previous nights. I ran to the Capitol and after briefly talking with the Capitol Police, I went inside. I went up to the Gallery and stayed till the House recessed at 11:34 p.m.
King and Hoekstra, along with a Member from Illinois, gave great speeches detailing the true nature of the health care takeover. I was ready for Saturday.
Saturday, November 7th: 7 a.m.
I woke up, unable to sleep. I was anxious to see if the unthinkable would happen. I got to the House at 8:30 and was stunned by the number of people lined up outside. Undeterred, I went inside and up to the Gallery. I sat there till they rotated us out around 10:00 a.m., whence I promptly stepped back in line and got back in. They rotated us out it seemed every 45 minutes till we finally asked (those of us that were staff) where the staff gallery was. They put us there and we were left unmolested for about 3 hours, till they opened that gallery to the general public. Long story short, we ended up at Gallery 1 for the rest of the day. I left around 4:30 p.m. and came back around 7 p.m., after having eaten some much needed dinner.
Some points of interest during the day were as follows: during the morning, when the House was dealing with other bills before getting to HR 3962, the Republicans would ask for an additional hour of debate time for the bill, since they knew the Democrats were waiting till days end to pass the bill, because they would need the entire day to twist arms. As the roll call does indeed show, they passed it by only five votes.
When I first tried to get to the Capitol via Maryland Avenue, like I always do, it was cordoned off, the blast barriers were up, and police tape extended to the sidewalk. That was around 8:15 a.m. Barry (as I had heard this rumor the day before) was in the Capitol doing some last minute arm twisting.
There were many great speeches yesterday. When H. Res. 903, the resolution bringing HR 3962 to the floor was passed, the Speaker Pro Tempore was recognized with applause from both the floor and the Gallery. I forget his name but he has introduced a government take over every year since he was elected to office. The Gallery clapping caught me by surprise because observers in the Gallery are guests of the House and can not show any approval or disapproval. I lost count of how many times the Speaker Pro Tempore would say that during the day.
I left around 8:15 p.m., right after the Stupak Amendment was postponed. I had tickets to Pete Tong and knew that they would not get to voting on HR 3962 till after 11 p.m. because there were other amendments to still be considered.
At 11:30 someone texted me, "It passed 220-215." Everything, for me, stopped right there. I could not jump around anymore. It was a surreal moment. The ideology that American soldiers fought against for a little over forty years, including two hot conflicts (Korea and Vietnam), as well as smaller engagements (like Grenada), had finally been adopted by the US House of Representatives as an official position. I walked out at 12:30, knowing it would not be before 1 a.m. before Tong came on (and the concert was only going to go to 3 a.m.) but just too angered to enjoy it.
As I came home, I remembered the words of a friend when we were talking about how we felt the night our republic was robbed from us (that night being Nov. 4th, 2008): "You know what the worst part of all this is? The worst part is knowing what will happen and yet there is nothing you can do about it." I told her in reply, "The knowing is not bad; the experiencing is the worst part, because nothing can prepare you for that. We've never experienced this before, that is what always terrifies me."
So it came to pass, I was actually not terrified this morning. I was livid. Today is a day of rest. Tomorrow, we head back to the House to do what we can to make sure that this will not pass conference committee. It's in the Senate's court now. I have a prediction (I can be wrong, fyi): the Senate will drop its bills and immediately pass HR 3962 as reported to the Senate. This will alleviate any chance of a conference committee having a significant impact. It will be come back to the House to be reconfirmed and will fail.
Those Members, in swing districts, that voted for it last night can kiss their political careers goodbye. I really have never seen anything like this, such a disconnect between them and their constituents. Maybe another H. Res. 615 can be tacked on in conference. Then, watch this thing go down like a lead balloon.
This fight is not over; it has only begun.
"Go!" a friend yelled to me. I decided, "Why not, what do I have to lose? It might still be open!" I had been watching the addresses of Pete Hoekstra and Steve King, two Members of the House adamantly opposed to the takeover, on CSPAN. They had just acknowledged some observers in the House gallery. I was not planning on going out; I already had done that the two previous nights. I ran to the Capitol and after briefly talking with the Capitol Police, I went inside. I went up to the Gallery and stayed till the House recessed at 11:34 p.m.
King and Hoekstra, along with a Member from Illinois, gave great speeches detailing the true nature of the health care takeover. I was ready for Saturday.
Saturday, November 7th: 7 a.m.
I woke up, unable to sleep. I was anxious to see if the unthinkable would happen. I got to the House at 8:30 and was stunned by the number of people lined up outside. Undeterred, I went inside and up to the Gallery. I sat there till they rotated us out around 10:00 a.m., whence I promptly stepped back in line and got back in. They rotated us out it seemed every 45 minutes till we finally asked (those of us that were staff) where the staff gallery was. They put us there and we were left unmolested for about 3 hours, till they opened that gallery to the general public. Long story short, we ended up at Gallery 1 for the rest of the day. I left around 4:30 p.m. and came back around 7 p.m., after having eaten some much needed dinner.
Some points of interest during the day were as follows: during the morning, when the House was dealing with other bills before getting to HR 3962, the Republicans would ask for an additional hour of debate time for the bill, since they knew the Democrats were waiting till days end to pass the bill, because they would need the entire day to twist arms. As the roll call does indeed show, they passed it by only five votes.
When I first tried to get to the Capitol via Maryland Avenue, like I always do, it was cordoned off, the blast barriers were up, and police tape extended to the sidewalk. That was around 8:15 a.m. Barry (as I had heard this rumor the day before) was in the Capitol doing some last minute arm twisting.
There were many great speeches yesterday. When H. Res. 903, the resolution bringing HR 3962 to the floor was passed, the Speaker Pro Tempore was recognized with applause from both the floor and the Gallery. I forget his name but he has introduced a government take over every year since he was elected to office. The Gallery clapping caught me by surprise because observers in the Gallery are guests of the House and can not show any approval or disapproval. I lost count of how many times the Speaker Pro Tempore would say that during the day.
I left around 8:15 p.m., right after the Stupak Amendment was postponed. I had tickets to Pete Tong and knew that they would not get to voting on HR 3962 till after 11 p.m. because there were other amendments to still be considered.
At 11:30 someone texted me, "It passed 220-215." Everything, for me, stopped right there. I could not jump around anymore. It was a surreal moment. The ideology that American soldiers fought against for a little over forty years, including two hot conflicts (Korea and Vietnam), as well as smaller engagements (like Grenada), had finally been adopted by the US House of Representatives as an official position. I walked out at 12:30, knowing it would not be before 1 a.m. before Tong came on (and the concert was only going to go to 3 a.m.) but just too angered to enjoy it.
As I came home, I remembered the words of a friend when we were talking about how we felt the night our republic was robbed from us (that night being Nov. 4th, 2008): "You know what the worst part of all this is? The worst part is knowing what will happen and yet there is nothing you can do about it." I told her in reply, "The knowing is not bad; the experiencing is the worst part, because nothing can prepare you for that. We've never experienced this before, that is what always terrifies me."
So it came to pass, I was actually not terrified this morning. I was livid. Today is a day of rest. Tomorrow, we head back to the House to do what we can to make sure that this will not pass conference committee. It's in the Senate's court now. I have a prediction (I can be wrong, fyi): the Senate will drop its bills and immediately pass HR 3962 as reported to the Senate. This will alleviate any chance of a conference committee having a significant impact. It will be come back to the House to be reconfirmed and will fail.
Those Members, in swing districts, that voted for it last night can kiss their political careers goodbye. I really have never seen anything like this, such a disconnect between them and their constituents. Maybe another H. Res. 615 can be tacked on in conference. Then, watch this thing go down like a lead balloon.
This fight is not over; it has only begun.
No Title
I should be at an electronic concert for Pete Tong but what happened earlier killed my appetite for anything.
I will write a longer detailed post on what happened later today. Just know that at 11:16 p.m. last night, the House of Representatives by a razor thin majority of five votes decided to flaunt the will of the American people. I would like to note that according to the Clerk, the House will beadjourned till 6 p.m. Monday, unless the Senate takes up a resolution.
I would like to know one thing: will any of the Members of the House be flying home for a day and some before coming back to DC on Monday evening? If you do, I sincerely hope you are ready to face the wrath of your constituencies. Yes, it is true this bill has a good chance of being shot down in the Senate. Those of you in swing districts that voted for this bill, I hope you all have enjoyed your tenure here in the House. It ends next year!
I will write a longer detailed post on what happened later today. Just know that at 11:16 p.m. last night, the House of Representatives by a razor thin majority of five votes decided to flaunt the will of the American people. I would like to note that according to the Clerk, the House will beadjourned till 6 p.m. Monday, unless the Senate takes up a resolution.
I would like to know one thing: will any of the Members of the House be flying home for a day and some before coming back to DC on Monday evening? If you do, I sincerely hope you are ready to face the wrath of your constituencies. Yes, it is true this bill has a good chance of being shot down in the Senate. Those of you in swing districts that voted for this bill, I hope you all have enjoyed your tenure here in the House. It ends next year!
Saturday, November 7, 2009
"Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered"
4:41 p.m: I just got back from watching the proceedings non-stop since 9 a.m. I now know that H. Res. 903 was used to introduce the H.R. 3962 to the floor, not actually for the vote itself. I must note that at 7 a.m., we didn't know what the resolution's text even was.
I came back this morning at 12:04 a.m. The House was in recess as of 11:34 p.m. Great speeches were given by Hoektsra, King, and one other Member who's name escape me. King pointed out, with his ever famous flowchart, how the new bill, H.R. 3962 would create the feared death panels. He furthermore pointed out, questioning, how can anyone sincerely believe that a House incapable of balancing a checkbook be capable of taking over the health care system and it be deficit neutral? Furthermore, King ticked off, one by one, every instance the US government has socialized parts of medicine, such as Medicare, and how the projected cost was well below the actual cost in the end.
He, Hoekstra, and the other Member pointed out how the Rules Committee was meeting at that very moment, to produce the final bill, which had not even been given to them, yet! He pointed out how Pelosi and Barry would be breaking their pledges of passing a bill that the American people had less than 72 hours to read and that would not be deficit neutral.
One Member of the Rules Committee, Polis of Colorado, came onto the floor, when the House reconvened at 2:25 a.m. He offered up the text for a resolution, H. Res. 903. This resolution originated from the Rules Committee. The text is not available and I was asleep but let there be no doubt: this is the resolution to try to pass H.R. 3962. One of the Members giving speeches before the recess at 11:34 p.m. noted how the only time Saturday votes have even been taken is during an emergency situation, such as war authorization for example.
Apparently, the Left believes it is an emergency situation now. We all know, though, the truth. It is not an emergency situation. The Members invited anyone, including people in the Gallery, to come down and give any reason why the bill should not be voted upon for a week, so that Members may return to their home districts for Veterans' Day and talk with constituents about it. Nobody went down, obviously.
Let there be no mistake: they (the Left) want this so badly they are willing to tarnish a precedent used only for true emergencies. They really believe they can get away with this. You all know about the rally at 1 p.m. today. The House reconvenes at 9 a.m. this morning. I sincerely wonder if they are not going to try to pass it first thing, so that such a rally would be null and void. If anyone is reading this right now, start calling those phone lines people!
"Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered." - Thomas Paine, Common Sense
I came back this morning at 12:04 a.m. The House was in recess as of 11:34 p.m. Great speeches were given by Hoektsra, King, and one other Member who's name escape me. King pointed out, with his ever famous flowchart, how the new bill, H.R. 3962 would create the feared death panels. He furthermore pointed out, questioning, how can anyone sincerely believe that a House incapable of balancing a checkbook be capable of taking over the health care system and it be deficit neutral? Furthermore, King ticked off, one by one, every instance the US government has socialized parts of medicine, such as Medicare, and how the projected cost was well below the actual cost in the end.
He, Hoekstra, and the other Member pointed out how the Rules Committee was meeting at that very moment, to produce the final bill, which had not even been given to them, yet! He pointed out how Pelosi and Barry would be breaking their pledges of passing a bill that the American people had less than 72 hours to read and that would not be deficit neutral.
One Member of the Rules Committee, Polis of Colorado, came onto the floor, when the House reconvened at 2:25 a.m. He offered up the text for a resolution, H. Res. 903. This resolution originated from the Rules Committee. The text is not available and I was asleep but let there be no doubt: this is the resolution to try to pass H.R. 3962. One of the Members giving speeches before the recess at 11:34 p.m. noted how the only time Saturday votes have even been taken is during an emergency situation, such as war authorization for example.
Apparently, the Left believes it is an emergency situation now. We all know, though, the truth. It is not an emergency situation. The Members invited anyone, including people in the Gallery, to come down and give any reason why the bill should not be voted upon for a week, so that Members may return to their home districts for Veterans' Day and talk with constituents about it. Nobody went down, obviously.
Let there be no mistake: they (the Left) want this so badly they are willing to tarnish a precedent used only for true emergencies. They really believe they can get away with this. You all know about the rally at 1 p.m. today. The House reconvenes at 9 a.m. this morning. I sincerely wonder if they are not going to try to pass it first thing, so that such a rally would be null and void. If anyone is reading this right now, start calling those phone lines people!
"Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered." - Thomas Paine, Common Sense
Emergency House Call
Yesterday, I stepped outside (which I have never done before) for a rare half-hour lunch to enjoy the Emergency House Call Rally being put on by Michele Bachmann (MN-06). Below are some photos and videos of the rally. This is not all of them, as I only stayed a half hour since I had to get back to the office, knowing how many of you were calling into us! Good job, by the way! I took between fifty to sixty calls on Wednesday and Thursday alone. You guys really made your voices heard! Don't stop!
Amidst all this great display of the will of you all, I wonder. Is it too late? The House, as is, stands for one more year till November 2010. I am reminded what Benjamin Franklin said after singing the Constitution in response to a woman's question about the type of government we would have. "Will we have a democracy or a monarchy?" Franklin simply replied, "A republic, if you can keep it." Our republic is on the verge of collapse right now. They (those in favor of this take over) are planning for a vote tomorrow evening, something that almost never happens.
Furthermore, who knows if it will happen tomorrow? On Monday, we were told it would be Thursday, Tuesday it would be Friday, and then yesterday it was said to be Saturday/who knows. Still though, this illustrates a requirement to live on our republic: you must know everything, politically, about the people you send here to serve you! You must always have them in watch.
Go to the House Clerk's site on a daily basis. See what was discussed. Look up the legislation put on the calendar for that week. Call in regularly and voice your opinions. Expect the unexpected! Most importantly, as bad as the THOMAS system is, track bills when they're introduced, where they are in committee, etc. It is up to you all to safeguard our republic. Franklin did not say it was the government's job to safeguard the republic, he knew it was the citizens' duty to do so. So guys, be prepared to fulfill your duty!
If this passes the House, there is a good chance the Senate will shoot it down. That does not relieve you all of your duty, now or ever. The point of a republic is the citizenry is forever linked to the government because the citizenry is the government! Therefore, it must make sure government always serves the citizenry. Once it no longer does that, the system is lost and must be constructed once again.
12:04 A.M. I just got back from watching the special session speeches being made on the House floor (I was in the Gallery). There's another rally at 1 p.m. today on the eastern steps of the Capitol! Be there! Also, the House in recess now, not adjournment!
Amidst all this great display of the will of you all, I wonder. Is it too late? The House, as is, stands for one more year till November 2010. I am reminded what Benjamin Franklin said after singing the Constitution in response to a woman's question about the type of government we would have. "Will we have a democracy or a monarchy?" Franklin simply replied, "A republic, if you can keep it." Our republic is on the verge of collapse right now. They (those in favor of this take over) are planning for a vote tomorrow evening, something that almost never happens.
Furthermore, who knows if it will happen tomorrow? On Monday, we were told it would be Thursday, Tuesday it would be Friday, and then yesterday it was said to be Saturday/who knows. Still though, this illustrates a requirement to live on our republic: you must know everything, politically, about the people you send here to serve you! You must always have them in watch.
Go to the House Clerk's site on a daily basis. See what was discussed. Look up the legislation put on the calendar for that week. Call in regularly and voice your opinions. Expect the unexpected! Most importantly, as bad as the THOMAS system is, track bills when they're introduced, where they are in committee, etc. It is up to you all to safeguard our republic. Franklin did not say it was the government's job to safeguard the republic, he knew it was the citizens' duty to do so. So guys, be prepared to fulfill your duty!
If this passes the House, there is a good chance the Senate will shoot it down. That does not relieve you all of your duty, now or ever. The point of a republic is the citizenry is forever linked to the government because the citizenry is the government! Therefore, it must make sure government always serves the citizenry. Once it no longer does that, the system is lost and must be constructed once again.
12:04 A.M. I just got back from watching the special session speeches being made on the House floor (I was in the Gallery). There's another rally at 1 p.m. today on the eastern steps of the Capitol! Be there! Also, the House in recess now, not adjournment!
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