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You are here: Home / Politics / Republican Stupidity / Pack Of Wailing Infants On The Capitol Steps

Pack Of Wailing Infants On The Capitol Steps

by Tim F|  February 14, 20083:09 pm| 46 Comments

This post is in: Republican Stupidity

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Maybe it’s silly to assign a deeper meaning to the bizarre walkout by most of the Republican Congressional delegation when plain perversity could cover it. But if I had to guess about some strategic plan at work here, my bet would be that a lot of Republicans don’t want to go on record in support people who unambiguously broke the law. If I was a constituent of any of those 29 nay voters I sure as hell would make a habit of calling his/her office to ask what kind of subpoenas it’s ok for me to flout.

Heck, it wasn’t that long ago that legal troubles plaguing Tom DeLay, Jack Abramoff, Randall “Duke” Cunningham, Tom Foley Mark Foley [ha ha, wrong millennium. -ed.] and an amazingly long list of other corrupticons kicked the GOP in the electoral nuts. It can be hard to shed a reputation for countenancing lawbreaking if you turn around and countenance lawbreaking some more.

***Update***

…and they all came back in time for the next vote. It sure seems like they have a lot of faith in Harriet Miers’s legal chances, doesn’t it?

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Reader Interactions

46Comments

  1. 1.

    Zifnab

    February 14, 2008 at 3:16 pm

    It can be hard to shed a reputation for countenancing lawbreaking if you turn around and countenance lawbreaking some more.

    Yeah, those Republicans are real Bush-Era geniuses. This has all the melodrama and “seriousness” of the Gingrich government shutdown mixed in with a good helping of having absolutely no effect on the vote.

    They’d have done better by kicking in their heels and pounding on the table, maybe breaking into an impromptu rendition of “The Star Spangled Banner” to drown out the Speaker or pushing across-the-aisle compatriots other over while the hand vote is being tallied.

  2. 2.

    demkat620

    February 14, 2008 at 3:28 pm

    There is only one solution to this mess,; send more of them in to early retirement. Let ’em all run their motuths to Fox News forever but get them out of the House.

  3. 3.

    LiberalTarian

    February 14, 2008 at 3:31 pm

    They really do think everyone is stupid.

    But, didn’t they prove recently that incompetent people always think everyone is as incompetent as they are? It takes competence to know you are not intelligent, or capable, or inconsistent.

    Well, there is an election coming up.

  4. 4.

    Alan

    February 14, 2008 at 3:31 pm

    Tom Foley? The Democratic Speaker of the House with the Dumbo ears?

  5. 5.

    Mike S

    February 14, 2008 at 3:32 pm

    The only thing the GOP is good at is mock outrage. They can’t govern. They can’t fight wars. They can’t follow their basic principles.

    They are only capable of whining, gnashing their teeth and scaring people. And now they aren’t even good at scaring people anymore.

  6. 6.

    OxyCon

    February 14, 2008 at 3:34 pm

    Don’t worry everyone. When Barack Hussein Obama is President, he’s going to give a great speech, and magically the Repubs aren’t going to act like giant a-holes anymore.

  7. 7.

    Xenos

    February 14, 2008 at 3:36 pm

    Oh, they will still be A-holes, but if we are lucky there will not be enough of them to stop real progress.

  8. 8.

    Mike S

    February 14, 2008 at 3:47 pm

    Can anyone give me a list of the spoofers? I haven’t been around enough to know them by name.

  9. 9.

    realbtl

    February 14, 2008 at 3:49 pm

    I suggest some good old-fashioned street theatre for the “infants”.

    Imagine a few folks handing out blankies and pacifiers to the cranky pubs who walked out. I’d love to see that in the news.

  10. 10.

    Fe E

    February 14, 2008 at 3:50 pm

    Can anyone give me a list of the spoofers? I haven’t been around enough to know them by name.

    Y’know, I’d be interested in seeing that too.

  11. 11.

    demimondian

    February 14, 2008 at 4:07 pm

    Oh, we could give you a list…

    but it’s would to be entirely fake.

  12. 12.

    Billy K

    February 14, 2008 at 4:14 pm

    The only thing the GOP is good at is mock outrage. They can’t govern. They can’t fight wars. They can’t follow their basic principles.

    They’re good at two things: Cutting Taxes (i.e. shifting the burden to middle and lower classes) and being “Business Friendly” (i.e. looting the treasury for their big business friends and passing laws that allow them to steal).

    At the end of the day, that’s all they’re there for. Anything else is to aid in those two things or cover for those two things.

  13. 13.

    Billy K

    February 14, 2008 at 4:15 pm

    Can anyone give me a list of the spoofers? I haven’t been around enough to know them by name.

    Spoofers? What are you talking about? Senators or Congressmen?

  14. 14.

    Xenos

    February 14, 2008 at 4:30 pm

    Everybody is a spoof, except you and me, and I am not so sure about you…

  15. 15.

    28 Percent

    February 14, 2008 at 4:33 pm

    There are no spoofers you are a spoofer whatever that means I do not know

  16. 16.

    SpotWeld

    February 14, 2008 at 4:43 pm

    …so, basccially, they are all being drama queens?

  17. 17.

    Perry Como

    February 14, 2008 at 4:45 pm

    Stay classy GOP!

  18. 18.

    Wilfred

    February 14, 2008 at 4:46 pm

    Where does all this Miers/Bolten wanking come in on the Real Conservative Meter? Has it already reached ‘to the barricades’, Scooter proportions? Will McCain have to take a position?

  19. 19.

    canuckistani

    February 14, 2008 at 4:48 pm

    If there’s a spoof list I wanna be on it.

  20. 20.

    Billy K

    February 14, 2008 at 4:51 pm

    If there’s a spoof list I wanna be on it.

    You are.

  21. 21.

    Perry Como

    February 14, 2008 at 4:54 pm

    If there’s a spoof list I wanna be on it.

    fnord

  22. 22.

    J. Michael Neal

    February 14, 2008 at 4:56 pm

    If you don’t know who is the spoof at the table, it’s probably you.

  23. 23.

    demkat620

    February 14, 2008 at 4:57 pm

    Where does all this Miers/Bolten wanking come in on the Real Conservative Meter? Has it already reached ‘to the barricades’, Scooter proportions? Will McCain have to take a position?

    Yes, let’s ask St. John what he thinks about this. I’d be interested to hear his thoughts on executive privelege, authority, and the unitary executive. As the newly minted leader of the party, speak up Johnny.

  24. 24.

    Grumpy Code Monkey

    February 14, 2008 at 5:02 pm

    Are there any differences between a subpoena to appear before Congress and a subpoena to appear in a court of law? Does the Congressional contempt resolution carry the same weight as a contempt of court citation (namely, jail time)? What exactly can Congress do to either Miers or Bolton?

    Just trying to figure out if anything useful will come of this or if it’s all theater…

  25. 25.

    dslak

    February 14, 2008 at 5:13 pm

    Congress has a parliamentary prerogative to use its bailiffs to bring those compelled to testify before them. I don’t think they’ve ever used that power, or that the current crop of Congresscritters would be willing to, but it would be pretty cool to see.

  26. 26.

    demimondian

    February 14, 2008 at 5:20 pm

    GCM…this answer is so incredibly, boneheadedly obvious, that I’m shocked you have to ask. It’s “yes and no”.

    Seriously.

    As far as enforcement goes, there’s no difference between a judicial subpoena and a congressional subpoena: if you don’t comply, then the relevant branch asks the attorney general (or his appointed agent) to arrest you to answer for your contumaceous activity.

    Of course, the Attorney General can choose not to enforce the subpoena, in which case its actual import is probably minimal. I don’t suppose that you’ll be surprised to hear that AG Mucousey has already publicized his disinclination to enforce these particular documents.

    So, in that regard, these documents are just theatre.

    However…there are two other issues. One is a civil lawsuit against the two people in question demanding they answer or pay a fine. That’s something the Congress can pursue without the President’s help. I’m not sure exactly what the pretext for the document is, but…hey.

    On top of that, though, there’s another approach. The Congress has a special power, implicit in the peculiar power of the Congress to impeach and convict — something called “implicit contempt”. Since the Congress has the unique power to punish many forms of Executive or Judicial misconduct or malfeasance, it has, in and of itself, the power to enforce decrees necessary to exercise that oversight power. In a case of an investigation which could leave to impeachment and removal, the Congress does not need the Executive’s help to enforce its subpoenas. That’s the case here — and so, in principle, we could see the Capital police (the only paramilitary force in the US not controlled by an executive office) finding and arresting Harriet Myers, and dragging her in chains to appear before the House Judiciary Committee.

  27. 27.

    HyperIon

    February 14, 2008 at 5:46 pm

    we’re all spoofs now….

    (just my attempt to add exactly nothing to the debate, a standard approach taken by spoofs AND non-spoofs)

  28. 28.

    HyperIon

    February 14, 2008 at 5:49 pm

    we could see the Capital police (the only paramilitary force in the US not controlled by an executive office) finding and arresting Harriet Myers, and dragging her in chains to appear before the House Judiciary Committee.

    now THAT is something to look forward to.

  29. 29.

    Grumpy Code Monkey

    February 14, 2008 at 6:02 pm

    GCM…this answer is so incredibly, boneheadedly obvious, that I’m shocked you have to ask. It’s “yes and no”.

    Heh. Thanks for the info.

  30. 30.

    ladonne

    February 14, 2008 at 6:11 pm

    Here is a quote from Eric Cantor on the walkoff:

    “Our intelligence agencies need the tools necessary to listen in on terrorists who threaten and plot to do harm to our country. The Senate worked together in a bipartisan fashion earlier this week to accomplish this goal, but the House Democrat Leadership refuses to do the same. It Al-Qaeda is talking, we should be able to listen. Today, House Republicans stood up and demanded that Washington work for the people again.”

    My question: why did they wait until NOW?!?!?!?!?

  31. 31.

    Svensker

    February 14, 2008 at 6:19 pm

    What exactly can Congress do to either Miers or Bolton?

    Waterboard them! Yay!

  32. 32.

    Zifnab

    February 14, 2008 at 6:52 pm

    Today, House Republicans stood up and demanded that Washington work for the people again.

    It’s always touching to hear the Republicans talk about how government is failing the people. It’s almost as though the last seven years never happened – which is to say that they did happen, but under Democratic majorities.

    Seriously, the Republicans will be much happier as the permanent, victimized minority. It’s practically their natural habitat.

  33. 33.

    Conservatively Liberal

    February 14, 2008 at 6:55 pm

    These idiots are trying to tell me that if telecom immunity is not passed then Bu$h will not be able to spy on the terrorists? When Bu$h has had no qualms about spying without any oversight in the past, they expect me to believe that he will obey the law (or lack of one) now?

    They are fucking nuts if they think I will believe anything they say. Bu$h will continue to do whatever the hell he wants to until he leaves office. Everything else is just window dressing.

  34. 34.

    ladonne

    February 14, 2008 at 7:29 pm

    It’s almost as though the last seven years never happened

    It’s the past. Dealwithit.

  35. 35.

    caustics

    February 14, 2008 at 7:38 pm

    Congress has a parliamentary prerogative to use its bailiffs to bring those compelled to testify before them. I don’t think they’ve ever used that power, or that the current crop of Congresscritters would be willing to, but it would be pretty cool to see.

    “Inherent contempt” hasn’t been exercised since 1934. The Executive has traditionally negotiated some sort of compromise long before things get to this point.

    As much as I’d love to see the Sergeant at Arms frog-march Miers and Bolton before the Judicary Comittee, there’s practically zero chance of that happening. I expect they will proceed with the civil action—which will no doubt plod on glacially until Bush is out of office and the issue is but a hazy memory.

    But it would be cool, wouldn’t it?

  36. 36.

    The Populist

    February 14, 2008 at 8:01 pm

    Mike S, don’t forget they are hypocrites. They talk a good game to win the election and prove that it is only about winning and accumulating power so their rich and powerful buddies get what they want. It’s all at the expense of the small businessman and the middle class.

  37. 37.

    ladonne

    February 14, 2008 at 8:05 pm

    I’d say it would be cool to have the republicans to walk out every day from now until November.

  38. 38.

    ladonne

    February 14, 2008 at 9:12 pm

    Kevin:

    Look, if it’s that important, there’s a simple answer: pass the bill without telecom immunity. Then come back and introduce immunity in a separate bill.

  39. 39.

    Jake

    February 14, 2008 at 10:14 pm

    I’d say it would be cool to have the republicans to walk out every day from now until November.

    I’d settle for just one more walk out.

    A long walk out. Down the Capitol steps, across the National Mall and into the Potomac where they would be swept downstream and into the waste water processing plant with all the other turds.

  40. 40.

    TenguPhule

    February 14, 2008 at 10:43 pm

    Seriously, the Republicans will be much happier as the permanent, victimized minority. It’s practically their natural habitat.

    Natural Born Slaves, in other words.

    Without Master to think for them, what will they do?

  41. 41.

    Tax Analyst

    February 14, 2008 at 10:47 pm

    Jake Says:

    I’d say it would be cool to have the republicans to walk out every day from now until November.

    I’d settle for just one more walk out.

    A long walk out. Down the Capitol steps, across the National Mall and into the Potomac where they would be swept downstream and into the waste water processing plant with all the other turds.

    Nuthin’ I can say but, “Amen”.

    block-quote miseries again…oh, well.

  42. 42.

    Joblob Doughpants

    February 14, 2008 at 10:57 pm

    Seriously, the Republicans will be much happier as the permanent, victimized minority.

    The Republican is the Jew of Congressional Fascism.

  43. 43.

    jake

    February 14, 2008 at 11:11 pm

    OT, but I will put on my favorite boots and stick my foot WAY up Derbyshire’s ass if he says someone should have rushed him.

  44. 44.

    ladonne

    February 14, 2008 at 11:11 pm

    TA, click in the comment and it will work — same problem for me, but for the random click that fixed it.

  45. 45.

    ladonne

    February 14, 2008 at 11:22 pm

    The wave of ‘let guns on campus’ will ride again.

    The reasoning of the gun toters will scream all day tomorrow.

  46. 46.

    TenguPhule

    February 15, 2008 at 12:15 am

    OT, but I will put on my favorite boots and stick my foot WAY up Derbyshire’s ass if he says someone should have rushed him.

    Need some help holding him?

    And I call sloppy seconds. Even if I will need a Handiwipe afterwards.

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