And Let's not forget about the other Deplorables

[gsdx]

These are the people we elected:

Once upon a time, we ridiculed the conduct of members of parliaments in other countries for their behavior...

Watch the UPS guy closely. Can you read lips?

 

[rareboy]

Jesus. Wept.

This is beyond even Jesus Wept.

The US at this point has no moral or intellectual ascendancy over the wildest parliamentary democracies around the globe.

Shape up. For Fuck's sakes.

 

[TX-Beau]

This is beyond even Jesus Wept.

The US at this point has no moral or intellectual ascendancy over the wildest parliamentary democracies around the globe.

Shape up. For Fuck's sakes.

Oh, we're not quite there yet. No one has moral or intellectual ascendance as a collective group over anyone else's collective guilt. Idiots and schoolyard bullies exist everywhere.

If we come out of this intact, it will have made our democracy stronger, the catch is, that plenty of people are pursuing some species of denial and pretending that the threat isn't exactly what the threat keeps telling us outright.

 

[KaraBulut]

Watch the UPS guy closely. Can you read lips?

I missed that!

Over in the House, Gaetz filed an ethics complaint against McCarthy because another House Republican who voted to oust McCarthy accused McCarthy of elbowing him in the kidney.

I'm beginning to miss the days when the worst of Congress were the drunks and womanizers, a completely bipartisan phenomenon.

The US at this point has no moral or intellectual ascendancy over the wildest parliamentary democracies around the globe.

The sad thing is that there are a bunch of members of Congress who show and do their job and rarely seek out the microphones. However, when you have a party that has been saying for 40 years that "Government is the problem", you're not encouraging the citizens to elect boring appropriators for public office. What you end up with is a self-fulfilling prophecy: you have an electorate that doesn't want government to function, who vote for the candidates who claim that they are going to "shake-up things in government" and other demagogues who then make ensure that government doesn't work.

We elect these people. It's on us.

 

[TX-Beau]

I'm not re-watching that, what did he say?

 

[KaraBulut]

I'm not re-watching that, what did he say?

I read it as "What a fucking asshole". It's at 5:56 if you want to skip.

 

[TX-Beau]

I read it as "What a fucking asshole".

I miss the days when watching cspan was a cure for insomnia.

 

[KaraBulut]

I miss the days when watching cspan was a cure for insomnia.

That was a while ago. For the past 15 years or so, the call-in segments sound more like something you would hear at any dive bar or psychiatric hospital. Those callers were foreshadowing craziness to come.

 

[TX-Beau]

That was a while ago. For the past 15 years or so, the call-in segments sound more like something you would hear at any dive bar or psychiatric hospital. Those callers were foreshadowing craziness to come.

It's enough to drive one back to circuit parties, pretty boys in neon jockstraps, X, and blissful, ignorant hedonism.

Unfortunately, these days I actually worry about things and that set thinks I'm a Boomer.

 

[gsdx]

I'm not re-watching that, what did he say?

Karabulut was correct: "What a fuckin' asshole."

I posted it to start at the 5:55 mark, but perhaps I did the 'time stamp' incorrectly.

 

[Norri]

That was a while ago. For the past 15 years or so, the call-in segments sound more like something you would hear at any dive bar or psychiatric hospital. Those callers were foreshadowing craziness to come.

No doubt that in the last 15 yrs or so some have learned to use phones, alas the only value left is hearing them in their own voices. If they didn’t just regurgitate talking points from others maybe there might be some value in what they have to say but evidently thinking is not their calling card.

 

[smokeshadow]

I miss the days when our elected officials settled their disagreements on the chamber floor with their walking sticks I'm referring to the late 1780's on up to the 1860's

Violence in Congress Before the Civil War: From Canings and Stabbings to Murder | HISTORY

19th century congressman went to work carrying pistols and bowie knives—and sometimes used them on colleagues.

www.history.com

 

[gsdx]

^ "I do miss the screaming."

 

[NotHardUp1]

We have witnessed physical threats from members of the House in the last several years.

Now we see a U.S. Senator who will not return to base when corrected by the Chair, and brings schoolboy taunts to a hearing FROM THE INTERWEBS like some peeved teenager. The union boss can be ignored, as he took no oath to represent the citizenry. The Oklahoma senator should be formally censured for his misconduct.

But, we won't see the House or the Senate take the appropriate action for their members' misdeeds. We live in an era of extremism, dishonor, and political cowardice.

As I posted a couple of years ago, we are seeing the last years of this republic, and the cavalry is not coming. Everyone looks about, expecting sanity and leadership and honor to return. It isn't.

The chaos in the House paralyzing for an entire month in a time of crisis is but a prelude. Now we have a junior no-nothing hothead driving. The Senate is visibly degraded and deteriorating.

We will see the disintegration of the Congress, and when the pending presidential election creates its own crisis, we will see a new cataclysm that will require the military to act, as civil authority will break down.

The End really is near. Plan on it.

 

[KaraBulut]

...But, we won't see the House or the Senate take the appropriate action for their members' misdeeds. We live in an era of extremism, dishonor, and political cowardice.

The word "their" being the key word.

For all the complaints about helicopter parents who don't hold their children accountable, we're seeing the same behavior from political parties. On the other hand, they are willing to censure or threaten to expel members of the other party for far less misdeeds.

As I posted a couple of years ago, we are seeing the last years of this republic, and the cavalry is not coming. Everyone looks about, expecting sanity and leadership and honor to return. It isn't..

For the most part, sanity, leadership and honor are there. A few years ago, Sen Sanders would have been considered a contrarian but in the incident yesterday, he was the voice of reason. The wide shot told the story. On the left side of the frame, the chairs were empty. On the right side, the chairs were half-full and the Democrats sitting there were looking at the events unfolding with shock and disgust.

That is the scenario we're dealing with. The traditional, reasonable Republicans are heading for the exits are being forced out of office by their constituents who are also declining in number. The extremist base of the Republican party is replacing them with performative politicians or know-nothings like Tuberville. The Democratic Party shows up but doesn't seem to have a coherent plan and mostly just watches the chaos unfold.

The chaos in the House paralyzing for an entire month in a time of crisis is but a prelude. Now we have a junior no-nothing hothead driving. The Senate is visibly degraded and deteriorating.

They passed their wonky Continuing Resolution yesterday, again with Democratic votes for the second time (D-207, R-127). 93 Republican House members voted against the plan to keep the government funded and avoiding a shutdown.

The problematic behavior isn't divided equally on both sides of the aisle and it reflects the dissolution and chaos of one party in particular. The Democratic Party, historically referred to as being like "herding cats" hasn't undergone as much of a decline as the Republicans.

Congress is a representative body and the behavior we're seeing is representative of their constituents... and that's the problem.

 

[johaninsc]

 

[rareboy]

From 'Jack Smith's' Twitter:

Marjorie is running around calling Lauren a whore.

Kevin McCarthy sucker-punched Tim Burchett in the hallway.

Mark Mullen threatened to fight a witness during a Senate hearing.

James Comer became completely unglued at being called out for doing the same thing he wants to impeach the President for.

The next time you want to get rid of your village idiots and town drunks, please do not send them to Congress.



And now Matt Gaetz has filed and ethics complaint against Kevin McCarthy.

 

[KaraBulut]

Today in Congress:

Marge and others on the Republican side rambled on about various conspiracy theories in a hearing with FBI Director Wray and Sec Mayorkas. At one point, Wray had to stop MTG and correct her claim that the FBI was part of the Department of Homeland Security (FBI reports to DOJ). Even Dir Wray, who generally has a laconic demeanor ran out of patience with the lunatic fringe caucus members.

And 12 members of Congress have announced that they will not be running for election... so far... there's still a year to go and more House members are expected to bail from the shit show.

Departure season descends on Congress

On Thursday, a powerful senator and three House members were the latest to join the list of members not seeking reelection in 2024.

www.politico.com

 

[NotHardUp1]

The word "their" being the key word.

For all the complaints about helicopter parents who don't hold their children accountable, we're seeing the same behavior from political parties. On the other hand, they are willing to censure or threaten to expel members of the other party for far less misdeeds.

Partisan bias was already present in Congress BEFORE helicopter parenting was a term. In the proceedings against Richard Nixon, the committee vote to begin impeachment consideration was along strict party lines, with all 17 Republicans voting against proceeding. At that time, there was already very public evidence that the president had committed criminal acts.

And in fairness to the Senate, there hasn't been a censure vote or condemnation by the Senate since 1990, time now marking the the longest span since 1902 for no censures.

For the most part, sanity, leadership and honor are there. A few years ago, Sen Sanders would have been considered a contrarian but in the incident yesterday, he was the voice of reason. The wide shot told the story. On the left side of the frame, the chairs were empty. On the right side, the chairs were half-full and the Democrats sitting there were looking at the events unfolding with shock and disgust.

I'm not sure what "the most part" the Congress is. I stand by my assertion that the lack of leadership in cleaning their own house is prevalent. And I don't know that calling Senator Sanders a contrarian is the most accurate term for one of the few non-binary politicians in Congress. By his own declarations, he is to the left of the Democrats, so would have to be in opposition to the collusion between the rich in both major parties.

As for the empty committee chairs, that did stand out, but from other accounts, committee hearings are often ill-attended. I didn't even see a quorom present, but then again, if the committee in question were to not be taking a vote, perhaps a quorom isn't even required to proceed with testimony.

That is the scenario we're dealing with. The traditional, reasonable Republicans are heading for the exits are being forced out of office by their constituents who are also declining in number. The extremist base of the Republican party is replacing them with performative politicians or know-nothings like Tuberville. The Democratic Party shows up but doesn't seem to have a coherent plan and mostly just watches the chaos unfold.

I do concur that men of honor and integrity are running instead of fighting the fight. And, just like in cities and towns experiencing white flight, the communities and schools left behind become degraded and left to the hardscrabble remains. It isn't pretty.

The Democrats nor the Republicans have been able to form actual parties outside individual votes. The ridiculous field of candidates in both parties for the Oval Office proves that no party discipline still exists, and that no strategy has been developed to raise an electable leader. Biden's run was a default to a warmover that no one actually wanted, but only slightly less than they didn't want Hillary Clinton.

They passed their wonky Continuing Resolution yesterday, again with Democratic votes for the second time (D-207, R-127). 93 Republican House members voted against the plan to keep the government funded and avoiding a shutdown.

The problematic behavior isn't divided equally on both sides of the aisle and it reflects the dissolution and chaos of one party in particular. The Democratic Party, historically referred to as being like "herding cats" hasn't undergone as much of a decline as the Republicans.

Congress is a representative body and the behavior we're seeing is representative of their constituents... and that's the problem.

The House has always been a zoo. Even the infamous Brooks/Sumner affair involved a House member as the attacker, not a Senator.

The Republicans are sewing the seeds of their own destruction. Continuing this degree of dysfunction enables the forces that would see it all brought down, from both directions.

And the Democrats may not have as much chaos right now, but by the same virtue, the alliance isn't any tighter than it has been, and therefore too weak to be any shining knight riding in to save the nation. The clear lack of mandate given either party proves the broad contempt by the populace for the entire institution, the very same alleged disaffection that enabled Trump to get elected in the first place. The blame doesn't have to be divided equally to see that it is not goodness to be better than the worst.

 

[KaraBulut]

Partisan bias was already present in Congress BEFORE helicopter parenting was a term. In the proceedings against Richard Nixon, the committee vote to begin impeachment consideration was along strict party lines, with all 17 Republicans voting against proceeding. At that time, there was already very public evidence that the president had committed criminal acts.

That was before the evidence came out. After hearing the evidence in the hearings, the Republicans told Nixon to resign.

Contrast that with the outcome of the Senate trials of Trump.

And contrast this with one of the leaders in the Senate Republican caucus excusing Sen Mullins' behavior:

I'm not sure what "the most part" the Congress is. I stand by my assertion that the lack of leadership in cleaning their own house is prevalent. And I don't know that calling Senator Sanders a contrarian ...

Decorum and order aren't (or shouldn't be) partisan. Sanders has marched to his own drummer for decades but his first statement to Mullins is, "You are a United States Senator".

What Sanders' comment points out is that the Senate historically has run on collegiality and a set of both written and unwritten rules of conduct. When candidates are running claiming their qualification for office is their history as a "pig castrater", House members are bringing bullwhips to caucus meetings and they're sucker-punching each other in the kidneys in the hallway, it's on us. We elected people who are not team players and then we gripe because they can't work with the team to get things done.

By the way, Mullins is spending his time doing podcasts and interviews talking about how he's willing to bite in his fights. He also said that we need to return to the days of politicians beating each other with canes and shooting each other in duels. This is a US Senator.

The Democrats nor the Republicans have been able to form actual parties outside individual votes. The ridiculous field of candidates in both parties for the Oval Office proves that no party discipline still exists, and that no strategy has been developed to raise an electable leader. Biden's run was a default to a warmover that no one actually wanted, but only slightly less than they didn't want Hillary Clinton.

There were some of us who wanted Biden, just because we wanted to return to the days when our first thought in the morning wasn't, "What crazy shit did the President do overnight that is going to get us all killed?".

The House has always been a zoo. Even the infamous Brooks/Sumner affair involved a House member as the attacker, not a Senator.

The House is the body that most reflects the electorate, however I don't think I've ever seen House members as politically illiterate, ill-informed or obsessed with conspiracy theories like I witnessed in watching the Homeland Security meeting yesterday.

The Republicans are sewing the seeds of their own destruction. Continuing this degree of dysfunction enables the forces that would see it all brought down, from both directions.

I think the Republican Party has already been brought down. It's done. What we are seeing is like "Invasion of the Body Snatchers" where after the 2018 election, the normal looking Republican Congresspeople and Party hacks were replaced with MAGA clones. Romney seems to think that the "old guard" will return to power; I'm not as optimistic.

And the Democrats may not have as much chaos right now, but by the same virtue, the alliance isn't any tighter than it has been, and therefore too weak to be any shining knight riding in to save the nation.

The description has always been, "Democrats fall in love. Republicans fall in line.". It's been interesting to see the Democrats set aside their personal agendas and identity politics to come together to make government work. There's been more than one example in the past 20 years of the Democrats coming together as a group to block bad legislation or to ensure that the economy doesn't crash. On the other hand, the situation with DoD and DoS nominees in the Senate shows the weakness of leadership- in fairness, both Democrat and Republican leadership.