Hard workers in Congress
Having just returned from a Teacher in Congress intern program in the House of Representatives, I want to share how amazed I was at the tremendous amount of work that is undertaken by many members of Congress and their staffs.
Sometimes, visitors to the House gallery and/or viewers of C-Span may wonder when and where legislative labor actually occurs. One can see the impressive activity of the clerks — reading, timing, recording; the parliamentarians — guiding debate and correct procedures; the Capitol Police — protecting visitors and members of the House, but not the representatives. A visitor will not see the significant amount of preparation that occurs behind the scenes by members of Congress and their staff. A visitor might leave with a misunderstanding about the serious efforts of Congress people and their assistants.
Congress people work long days; Rep. Virginia Foxx worked 12 to 16 hours per day while I interned. In addition, legislative staff for each member of Congress not only assist constituents with requests for services and meet with interest groups, but they also gather information from a variety of neutral and partisan sources about relevant issues, assist members of Congress as long as Congress is in session (even until midnight!), and run the office while members of Congress return to their home districts.
I am grateful to Rep. Foxx and her staff for their diligent efforts to educate me about the legislative process and to serve the people of the Fifth District.
KIRSTEN RUSS
Clemmons
Russ teaches at West Forsyth High School. — the editor.
Smear tactics
Those who are planning on watching television in the upcoming months need to brace themselves for a relentless barrage of name-calling, misinterpreted or completely falsified data, and, above all, the ultimate in immaturity. Already President Obama is claiming that former Gov. Mitt Romney pioneered outsourcing while at Bain Capital, and Romney is claiming that Obama's health care reform is ruining the prospects of America's posterity. These two grown men, previously content to focus on issues that matter, such as finding and bringing to justice Osama bin Laden (in the case of the president) or maintaining the state of Massachusetts (in the case of the former governor), have instead resorted to presenting potentially baseless claims as fact in order to tarnish each other's reputation.
What happened? History happened. It's no surprise that in the past politicians have resorted to smear tactics to win campaigns, and that's because smear tactics work on an apathetic populace. The thing about history, however, is that it is, by definition, the past. We don't have to continue on this path.
If Romney is so dedicated to restoring American ethics, then why waste time impersonating a 6-year-old? If Obama wants to lead with precedent, he should do so: Spreading unchecked gossip is not the act of any adult I'd care to know.
Leaders take on the responsibility of a difficult choice between doing what is right and what is easy. The difference between children and presidents is this choice. Their demeanor determines the fate of this nation.
JOHN BELMONT
Winston-Salem
Sum It Up
Do you think America needs tighter gun-control laws?
Compensation due
It was incredibly disheartening to read about the sterilization victims' plight of rejections to receive impending compensation for an injustice that was clearly inhumane and wrongfully induced through no faults of their own ("The legislature turns its back," July 10). I can only imagine their physical and mental anguish over the years, to comprehend the totality of the eugenics process, while coping with the fact that their lives were permanently altered and they were denied the right to procreate as God intended.
The recent decision by state officials to withhold compensation for the victims, in my view, was shameful and unfounded. I also believe that if there had been earnest endeavors to see justice served, every effort within their power would have been pursued. Seemingly, the victims are being victimized all over again.
Should they continue to be treated as if their suffering doesn't matter?
Sadly, for them, it will be a hard fight, and rightfully so, for the compensation they deserve is due.
IMA LAWSON
Winston-Salem
Mississippi Church Refuses to Marry Black Couple
ReplyDeleteThe First Baptist Church in Crystal Springs, Miss.,They had booked their wedding far in advance. The invitations had been sent, the programs printed. But one day before Charles and Te'Andrea Wilson were to be married at the Mississippi church they frequented, they said a pastor told them they would have to find another venue -- because they were black.
Curtis Knapp, pastor of New Hope Baptist Church in Seneca, Kan., "gays should be executed' Pastor Charles Worley on Sunday in front of Providence Road Baptist Church just outside Maiden, N.C., "gays should be fenced in and allowed to die off." Berean Baptist Church in Fayetteville, N.C. " Rev. Sean Harris told fathers to "crack that wrist" and "give him a good punch" if their sons start acting effeminate.
WESTBORO BAPTIST CHURCH, REV Fred Phelps: need I say more?
Re: Rev. Fred Phelps of Westboro Baptist Church.
DeleteJust because a bunch of rednecks are engaged in deplorable conduct, doesn't give gay activists the right to engage in bigoted and hate based speech against them.
DeleteYes, it does. You know, free speech and all.
Deleteno, but the 1st Amendment does.
DeleteSorry, bucky, but your bigoted, hate speech card has been declined.
DeleteWhat's the old saying, Bucky? The smeller's the fellar.
DeleteKind of like Wes calling Walter Marshall a racist for just writing a generic statement of support for Maya Angelou. Projecting much?
DeleteLiberals call people 'racists' all the time. I don't know what the big deal is, Arthur?
DeleteLiberals don't call people racist, they call racists racist all the time. No big deal.
DeleteNo, Bob. Liberals call people they don't like racists. It doesn't matter if the people are really racist or not.
DeleteYou don't pay close attention, do you?
I don't miss a thing.
DeleteNo, bucky, we don't call people we don't like racists, we call them Republicans, a real insult.
Delete"You start out in 1954 by saying, "Nigger, nigger, nigger." By 1968, you can't say "nigger" — that hurts you. Backfires. So you say stuff like forced busing, states' rights and all that stuff. You're getting so abstract now [that] you're talking about cutting taxes, and all these things you're talking about are totally economic things and a byproduct of them is [that] blacks get hurt worse than whites. And subconsciously maybe that is part of it. I'm not saying that. But I'm saying that if it is getting that abstract, and that coded, that we are doing away with the racial problem one way or the other. You follow me — because obviously sitting around saying, "We want to cut this," is much more abstract than even the busing thing, and a hell of a lot more abstract than "Nigger, nigger."
Delete-- Lee Atwater
Problem here is that that racist tax cuts don't lead to racist spending cuts, as with the GWB cuts and spending, thus the cries of racism are cynically hollow.
DeleteSo they don't campaign on spending cuts? Or argue for them?
DeleteAnyway...if you won't take it from the horse's mouth, then I can't help you.
Thanks Ms. Russ: It's always good to read something positive for a change about Rep. Foxx (R). Usually, it's some radical, left-wing, liberal writing into the Journal with a hate filled tirade against Rep. Foxx.
ReplyDeleteIt always amazes me how liberals use such detestable and despicable language against others, yet they preach tolerance and diversity. I guess it's the old do as I say, not as I do syndrome.
small minds are easily amazed.
DeleteFree speech is "detestable and despicable"? H-M-M-M . . .
Delete. . . or is it free speech only when intolerant and bigoted neo-conservatives practice it?
I've got no problem people using such language. However, don't have two sets of standards.
DeleteRush probably uses the most foul language in this forum, yet I get admonished the most. Get my drift?
victim card, declined.
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteExamples of two sets of standards? Let's try these:
DeleteNeo-cons resist government intrusion but yet ask for government intrusion in settling prayers in government meetings issues, reproductive issues, immigration (voter ID) issues, "preservation" of marriage issues . . .
Your perception of two sets of standards is just that, a perception.
Why don't Democrats want voter I.D. laws if all of their voters are legit?
DeleteVoter suppression? You damn right it's voter suppression. It illegal voter suppression! What's wrong with that?!
You're swingin' from right to left on this, Bucky . . .
DeleteBucky, you said the other day that giving your name and address IS ID. If it's good enough to buy ammunition online. It ought to be good enough to vote.
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteI have no issue with voter ID either. I presented both my voter registration card and my NC issued driver's license to the polls clerk but was told it wasn't necessary.
DeleteWhat I do have issues with is the assertion that illegal immigrants vote en masse. That's just a wholebunchabunk that neo-cons feed the already blind, and bigoted, leming masses.
'Photo' I.D. for voting Bob. I can't help you made a 'Rush' out of yourself the other day.
DeleteThere's no doubt illegals are voting in high numbers. You know they see it as a way to get their 'green' cards or amnesty from Obama.
DeleteThey know Obama doesn't mind corrupting the system.
It's amazing how corrupt the country has become in 3 1/2 long years under Obama.
Deletelet's see, headlines: Former GOP Party Chairman in Florida facing FELONY CORRUPTION charges. Just the tip of the ever melting GOP Iceberg.
DeleteGiving de facto amnesty is a huge corruptive influence on our country and it will lead to millions more coming here illegally.
DeleteThanks Obama.
This comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteGive me your tired, your poor,
DeleteYour huddled masses yearning to breathe free;
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore,
Send these, the homeless,
Tempest-tossed to me
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!
I presented a 'Photo' I.D. for voting and was told it wasn't necessary.
DeleteIt's not necessary NOW, but it will be later. Trust me!
DeleteI know you. You used to do Subaru commercials.
DeleteBucky: You're asking me to trust YOU?
DeleteHard workers in Congress. Yes, I suppose so. The legislative work- sausage making- goes on in committee rooms and elsewhere out of sight. I'm sure this was a rewarding experience in one regard. In another regard, it is also hard work driving our nation into insolvency.
ReplyDeleteSmear tactics. "Those who are planning on watching television in the upcoming months need to brace themselves for a relentless barrage of name-calling, misinterpreted or completely falsified data, and, above all, the ultimate in immaturity"....and I thought you were going to talk about the coming start to the NFL season.
ReplyDeleteDo you think America needs tighter gun-control laws? Control by whom over whom? A miss fire in logic that comes up every so often. What is at work is a permanent part of human existence--the presence of evil. There are evil people in the world and this will never change. No matter what we do, evil has a head start because of its very nature-- it finds a way. This will never be otherwise.
ReplyDeleteMy jeep mounted .50 Caliber MG is awesome.
ReplyDeleteIt helps to have a driver if you are operating the .50 cal. Attention to detail is needed.
DeleteThis will drive liberals nuts! Wait a minute? They're already nuts.
DeleteAnyway, a friend of mine went to a gun store the other day. He told me that he asked to see a gun. When the clerk handed him the gun, he said that this was the gun that Zimmerman used.
Wow! So gun stores are using the Zimmerman incident to sell guns, and, particular types of guns at that?
I'll bet liberals are breathing hard just at the very thought of it.
Nuts are good for you. Nuts have lots of protein, fiber, healthy monounsaturated fats, vitamins, nutrients, and antioxidants.
DeleteI see where the Marines are ordering 12000 M1911 .45 pistols. It seems that they prefer the century old weapon to the much later Beretta M9. The .45 has been renamed the M45, which makes sense, but otherwise the handgun is essentially unchanged, quite a testament to its long-dead designer.
DeleteBob, the big .50 works best on vehicles and lightly fortified targets due to its relately slow rate of fire. If you're doing antipersonnel work, the faster firing GPMG'S I mentioned yesterday probably have higher hit probabilities.
Deleteonce we get control of all the cruise missiles and ICBM's, I don't think those other arms will matter much. We are planning a big celebration, cook-out, nude sun bathing, and a drag race on the deck of the Ronald Reagan.
DeleteGov. Mike Huckabee (R) announced that August the 1st will be support Chick-fil-A day, in case anyone's interested. Gotta support traditional marriage, you know.
ReplyDeleteI'll be there, that's for sure.
Wonder when the stop homosexual peeping day will be?
DeleteI'll definitely be there for that one!
the homo card, declined.
DeleteI'm sorry but you have no credit here.
DeleteWHAT ! ? ! ? You mean my homosapien card is also declined???? That's not very genus of you.
Deletewe do accept homosapien cards, but you have to phylum first.
DeleteBucky, on the other hand, has no class, is always out of order, lacks family values, so he can only pay in specie.
DeleteI'm for 'traditional' family values, not for those deviant ones that liberals make up as they go along.
DeleteGoodends-yes! Badends-No! It's that simple.
DeleteTalk to da hand.
DeleteI'm talking to the 'badend' lovers out there.
DeleteDid your God creat man in His own image?
DeleteBucky, if you have a bad end, perhaps you should consider having it removed.
DeleteI'm hearing that the Navy has become 'the' branch of service for gays to join. Because they can now 'bunk' together.
DeleteAny truth to that Bob?
I have no idea.
DeleteIn the navy
Yes, you can sail the seven seas
In the navy
Yes, you can put your mind at ease
In the navy
Come on now, people, make a stand
In the navy, in the navy
Can't you see we need a hand
In the navy
Come on, protect the motherland
In the navy
Come on and join your fellow man
In the navy
Come on people, and make a stand
In the navy, in the navy, in the navy (in the navy)
I'm too old to join the Navy anyway.
DeleteHow did I know that song would come to your mind?
Deleteany simpleton would.
DeleteDunce uses the phrase "I'm hearing" quite often.
DeleteWhat are his sources? Well, there aren't any.
Just the voices in his head...it's called schizoaffective disorder, in his case, possibly triggered by his denial of who he is. That kind of self denial takes an enormous toll on various parts of the brain.
Go to Las Palmas in the Canary Islands where every Navy in the world takes leave. The Gay Bars are packed with sailors.
DeleteOr Suva in Fiji where all the Pacific Navies Party. The Aussies and the Kiwis are so much fun. The French love to dance all night.
DeleteMy Swedish friend refers to Las Palmas as a Smorgasbord.
DeleteBob, that's what I thought. Who would want to be on a ship with predominately gay sailors, and them humping and moaning in the middle of the night.
DeleteI think it will deter heterosexuals from joining.
Didn't Rush say he was in the Navy? Figures.
DeleteAll this crazy stuff Rush has been saying all along is starting to fit together. Hmmmmmmm!
DeleteIt will only deter those heteros too dumb to operate sophisticated equipment, that has been the plan all along.
DeleteThe IDF, from the same people that gave us the Levites and Leviticus, has no problems with it. Welcome to the New World, bucky.
DeleteAs with all living creatures, it will be brief. I hope you enjoy your stay.
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteNo, when I was looking up stuff on homosexual activities, and there was a ton, I found these articles about gays saying that the best place to be in the service was in the Navy, because they could do what they 'want'.
DeleteTranslate....gays are joining the Navy over other service branches. Once that word gets out, the heteros will definitely start to shy away from that branch of the service.
Didn't Rush say he was in the Navy? Hmmmmmmmm!
Rush is probably in the 'reserves' in case he wants to go back have some more 'fun'.
DeleteAnd once we get control of all the Air Craft Carriers and Nuclear Subs, you WILL do as your told. Gays weren't peeping at you. They were just spies getting coordinates for a cruise missile.
DeleteMuslim-dominated nations such as Indonesia have strict laws against homosexuality. Sodomy can result in up to 20 years in jail and caning in Malaysia. But that hasn't stopped some from continuing to fight for more rights and visibility.
Delete_________
Sounds like Obama is off his childhood reservation a bit on his recent views on homosexuality.
You want to be like a Muslim? Go to Malaysia. I thought red blooded Americans wanted to ban Sharia Law. Guess not. Those Abrahamic Religions are the root cause of all the worlds problems, Christian, Jewish, and Muslim fundamentalist extremists. They are just ruining the world all over. They've turned paradise into a desert. sounds like, seems like, I've heard
DeleteBucky, why were you looking up gay activity? Do you call 1-900 numbers, too?
DeleteI like to stay informed Stab. And no to your last question.
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteI'll just bet you do. hehehe
DeleteHi cuz,
DeleteTechnically, Dunce is telling the truth. The 900 numbers got all filled up some time ago, so he now calls Chicks With Big Dicks at 1-877-433-8887. According to my friend at Homeland Security, it's on his speed dial.
Shows how out of date I am. In my southern CA days one of my staff moonlit as a psychic on a psychic hotlines. She would freely admit to being no more psychic than a brick, but her instructed mission was to keep the pathetic callers online as long as possible, all the while working in the comfort of her own home while watching TV with the sound lowered. PT Barnum would be proud.
DeleteOh, jeez...I'd forgotten about psychic hotlines...that's the Reagen era...government by astrologer and other nutty stuff.
DeleteDid a little checking...they're still there, although much more sophisticated. Wanta chat with great-grandma...just call 1-877-whatever.
But you slander Barnum, as I used to. Just read several things about him. Apparently he was quite careful to label his attractions accurately. If the public misinterpreted it, that was their fault.
And he never said "There's a sucker born every minute." Thousands of US politicians have "thought" and acted on that ever since, but don't blame Barnum for it.
Jesse Jackson Jr. update:
ReplyDeleteThe Mayo Clinic released a statement Friday saying the congressman was being treated there for depression and gastrointestinal issues.
________
Well, if you drink six bottles of vodka a day, of course you're going to have stomach problems.
Wonder what the 'Weiner' is up to? Forget it! I don't think I even wanna know.
Democrats, they're always up to something.
YES WE ARE.
DeleteI have a feeling that vodka is a lesser problem for JJ Jr than other things that might loom.
DeleteUt oh. Can you give us the scoop Stab?
DeleteHi cuz,
DeleteI assume the reference is to the investigation by the OCE, the DOJ and the House ethics committee of supposed wrongdoing by Congressman Jackson.
Those of us who have lived in Chicago know that there is no nastier political arena in the US. The original investigation had to do with Jackson's efforts to persuade the disgraced governor Rod Blagojevich to appoint him to Barak Obama's vacated US Senate seat.
The investigation has been going on and off now for over three years. Neither I nor anyone else in Illinois has any idea of what Rep. Jackson did or did not do. I think it is time for the investigators to either s--t or get off the pot. Politics as usual.
If you have something more, please share.
I have nothing other than an abiding distrust of anyone schooled at Rev Jackson's knee.
DeleteMust say that that is sad...judging anyone by anything other than their own accomplishments is the same thing as bigotry.
DeleteI was schooled at my daddy's knee. I loved him dearly and still do, long after his death.
But he was hard core racist and a judgmental son-of-a-bitch. How I escaped becoming just like him is a testament to the potential of all humans to exceed their birthright and ascend to higher ground.
While living in Chicago, I met both Jacksons more than once. There are a number of areas in which I disagree with Jackson Senior, but then neither you nor I can possibly imagine the experience of black males in the US in the 20th century. I saw some of that in person in Mississippi and Georgia and right here at home during the civil rights days and was appalled.
As to Jackson Junior, he does not strike me as a chip off the old block.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteExcellent interview with Justice Antonin Scalia.
ReplyDeleteWarning: Not recommended for the forum NW. Subject matter too complicated for comprehension.
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2012/07/29/scalia-opens-door-for-gun-control-legislation/
Fascinating...Dunce even parrots me...I already own that particular insult...find an original to cut and paste from FoxLies®.
Delete"And once we get control of all the Air Craft Carriers and Nuclear Subs, you WILL do as your told. Gays weren't peeping at you. They were just spies getting coordinates for a cruise missile."
ReplyDeleteHa, ha! The Navy has at least its fair share of lesbians, but it doesn't matter, because Dunce hates all women except the bimbos on Fox and the Palin/Bachmann loony team, and women in general have already taken over control of the cruise missiles.
In 1996, Lt. Erika Niedermeir was half of a two officer co-op supervising a strike team aboard the USS Laboon. They fired 8 Tomahawk cruise missiles at Iraq, the first time that a woman had participated in actual naval combat on a US vessel.
They've been at it ever since. A significant percentage of the technicians who maintain and operate the cruise missile firing systems are now women. So when one comes knocking at Dunce's door, he'll know who sent it.
The more I read, the more I understand why you were in the Navy.
DeleteAug 1st-support Chick-fil-A day.
DeleteDon't make a 'Rush' out of yourself people. Vote for Romney this time around. Your wallet will thank you.
DeleteYou can't spell Moroni without a moron.
DeleteRomney is just a jumble for R money.
DeleteHa, ha...you're way over Dunce's head. Even after he Googles it, there are way too many words there for him to get it.
DeleteBy sheer coincidence, I just met Moroni.
My pal Jesus and I were having a drink at our favorite hangout, the Silver Moon Saloon on Trade Street, when Moroni walked in.
Interesting guy. The reason he is around at the moment is he's doing research for a book, in which he will refute Joseph Smith's claim about numerous visits to Smith's home in western NY. Moroni says he never heard of Smith until recently when Fox Heaven Network ran a documentary on the history of the morons...I mean...Mormons.
I should point out that Jesus is laying low these days...he's given up the crown of thorns look for one of those punky spiky haircuts and in this hot weather is wearing Birkenstocks, khaki Bermudas and a Hawaiian shirt.
But Moroni is new in town and clings to the old ways, shoulder length curly hair, a long flowing robe and a halo. Jesus recommended a makeover stylist for him. Did I mention that Jesus is gay?
After Moroni left, the bar girl asked us who he was. Having lived in the USA for some time now, Jesus has become an expert liar. Before I could say a word he said "Just some guy in a production down at the Stevens Center." She shrugged.
Here you go Bucky, an actual case of voter fraud in AZ.
ReplyDeleteAfter months of unproven allegations that widespread fraud is endangering our electoral system, Republicans can finally cite a clear and true case of voter fraud (although it is wholly irrelevant to their campaign for strict voter ID laws).
Unfortunately for the GOP, this outrageous incident directly implicates a Republican candidate for office — and it has now forced him out of the race.
John Enright, a Republican running for Supervisor of Pinal County, Arizona, ended his campaign on Thursday morning after allegations that his former companion — who has been deceased for five years — has been voting by absentee ballot since her death.
The Pinal Country Recorder’s Office received an anonymous letter several weeks ago claiming that someone had been filling out and mailing absentee ballots addressed to Sheila Nassar, who lived with Enright until she passed away in 2007.
Enright describes Nassar as his high school sweetheart, and “former life companion.”
Pinal County Recorder Laura Dean Lytle told The Arizona Republic that the curious case “is an absolute act of fraudulent voting.”
The allegations were enough to force Enright from the race. Although he did not mention voter fraud in a statement issued by his attorneys, Enright did tackle the allegations head on in a video message.http://www.nationalmemo.com/republican-candidate-quits-amid-voter-fraud-allegations/
Thanks Wordly. Now where's my answer regarding if Zimmerman had been female, and what would have happened to the hypothetical 'her', in contrast to what has happened to Zimmerman?
DeleteThanks in advance.
No Dunce, where is your answer to your ludicrous "voter fraud" bullshit? You get shot down a dozen times a day and never respond to any of it, because you are a phony, lying fool. Let's see you "man up" (LMAO...there ain't no "man" there) and make an actual response to Wordly's post. You cannot do it and we know why. Pathetic.
DeleteFor the record, as to Dunce's ridiculous hypothetical (look it up, Dunce) about "what if Zimmerman had been a woman" nonsense…given the same facts in the case, she too would have been charged.
ReplyDeleteOf course, that is not going to happen, because there has never been a case of a woman hiding behind Neighborhood Watch to allow them to kill somebody. Neighborhood Watch women do as they are supposed to do, observe and report. Why? Because they do not have tiny dicks which they need to compensate for.
When a neighborhood Watch unit is set up, the members are briefed by a police representative on what they are and are not supposed to do. here's what they are supposed to do:
1. Be alert and watch over the neighborhood.
2. If they observe suspicious activity, they are supposed to call a police non-emergency number.
3. If they observe an actual crime in progress, they are supposed to call 911.
That is all. They are also told what they are not supposed to do:
1. Patrol the neighborhood.
2. Carry weapons.
3. Interfere in any way or get personally involved with any activity that they observe.
Dunce Zimmerman, being a classic dunce, of course did not listen. His only interest in a Neighborhood Watch organization was that he thought it would enable his cop wannabe syndrome and allow him to control what went on in the area.
He made dozens of 911 calls, all of which the police found to be a joke. He also attempted to intimidate neighbors by personally challenging them. They complained and the police warned him to stop. But being a classic dunce, he persisted. The biggest failing of the Sanford police was not bringing charges against him for that at a much earlier time.
Dunce is potentially the same kind of threat to his neighborhood as Zimmerman was. The good news is that by analyzing his comments on this forum, we can be pretty sure that he doesn't have the oomph or the balls to become a threat. He is, in the end, just one of those pitiful stay at home whining losers. Thank goodness.