Battered Senator Syndrome? Dems caving on public option

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Thursday June 18, 2009 · 9:26 PM PDT

2009/06/18 · 21:26

The AP is reporting that the Senate Democrats are "paring back subsidies" and "floated a compromise that rules out direct government competition against private insurers." source

Has it not occurred to them that there seems to be a pattern developing in which the Republicans demand inclusion in the negotiations, suggest that if the Democrats will adopt some of their proposals they will have their support, and then it's Lucy/Football Time? When it comes down to a vote, the GOP finds all manner of excuses to vote "nay" A bit of a rant below the fold.

greatbasin2

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Sunday November 30, 2008 · 5:23 PM PST

2008/11/30 · 17:23

In the midst of the mostly well deserved media attention to the attacks in Mumbai, the GAO has released a report, "Northern Border Security: DHS's Report Could Better Inform Congress by Identifying Actions, Resources, and Time Frames Needed to Address Vulnerabilities." PDF file

We know from the Mumbai attacks that arrival by waterway is now a proven tactic for terrorist elements, what we don't know is whether the Department of Homeland Security has given enough attention to what that means along our northern border.
More below the fold.

greatbasin2

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Monday April 09, 2007 · 8:59 AM PDT

2007/04/09 · 08:59

Once more with feeling. WFAN-AM and MSNBC have offered no more than token apologies for the blatantly racist comments made by Don Imus about the Rutgers Womens' Basketball team. Thus far all the two broadcasters have actually done is to "condemn" his comments. After four diaries on this subject, perhaps at least four more are needed before the networks get the message. Each time "condemnation" is accepted without action equals one more example for the right wing racists to observe that however despicable their comments may be -- nothing is really really going to happen to them. Now, Imus wants his "oopsy daisy" apology to exonerate him. More after the fold.

greatbasin2

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Saturday March 03, 2007 · 9:35 PM PST

2007/03/03 · 21:35

There's a pattern developing in regard to all things military that have anything to do with Halliburton, KBR, of their spin off companies. Once the "privatization" is accomplished there follows a string of complaints about the quality of the services provided, and unfortunately the services at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center are no different. Last year there were grumblings about the services provided by IAP Worldwide Services, Inc. This year we have the Washington Post articles documenting the problems associated with yet another contract awarded to yet another arm of the Halliburton cartel. Some details below.

greatbasin2

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Wednesday January 17, 2007 · 8:36 PM PST

2007/01/17 · 20:36

The votes haven't yet been posted on the Senate website in regard to the cloture vote on the Senate Ethics Reform bill, however, one could guess that the GOP is trying one last inglorious effort to derail substantial ethics legislation. Below the jump: a brief summary of today's stall ball tactics and some observations about why this may be happening.

Cross posted at Desert Beacon

greatbasin2

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Wednesday January 03, 2007 · 9:39 AM PST

2007/01/03 · 09:39

The Bush Administration's No Fly List, which seems to do a good job of nabbing Nebraska nuns and small boys from Colorado, may have an offshoot called the "Look Out List." A German tourist of Syrian ancestry was hauled off to a North Las Vegas Detention Center from the Las Vegas Airport this past holiday season. To add injury to insult he was denied his prescribed heart medication for 36 hours. Officials offered that the man was on a "look out list." The Las Vegas Sun has the full story. Las Vegas Sun

Another Republican Staffer Another Revolving Door

greatbasin2

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Wednesday March 22, 2006 · 12:42 PM PST

2006/03/22 · 12:42

From Senate Job to Nuclear Lobbyist describes the quick trip made by Alex Flint, former staffer for Pete Domenici's Senate Committee from staff to lobbyist for the Nuclear industry.

Two thoughts about this development. First, a person would have to wonder if this subject would have been a front page item on MSNBC a year ago? Without the Abramoff, Cunningham, and MZM Scandals, this could easily have slipped off the radar. Secondly, the sheer nerve demonstrated in this example of the revolving door is interesting in itself. Brazen seems almost too modest to describe a staffer who makes the leap at nearly the same time that the Senate and House are supposed to be trying to clean up their respective acts.

The FBI searches the FEC

greatbasin2

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Friday March 10, 2006 · 8:33 AM PST

2006/03/10 · 08:33

If we were thinking that the FEC wasn't on top of its game, we were right. According to a story deep inside the folds of the Washington Post, there's a small scandal going on that's eaten away at the fiscal resources of the agency, and has caused some folks to be marched out of the building.

The core of the issue is that an employee, Cheryl Kelly, accused her supervisor James Pehrkon of sexual harassment. Pehrkon offered to pay a $100,000 cash settlement from surplus agency funds. When that plan was nixed he offered to pay $10,000 of Kelly's legal expenses from surplus. With a end run around the actual Commission, Kelly's attorneys were paid $10,000 for "consulting." Sources below.
Read More

Wiccan Soldier won't get emblem

greatbasin2

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Thursday March 02, 2006 · 1:36 PM PST

2006/03/02 · 13:36

This isn't a one line diary, but it shouldn't take more than that to illustrate the incredible intolerance of the Bush Administration and the Department of Defense.

It's a simple story:
A soldier from Fernley, NV was killed in Iraq. His family wants his sacrifice memorialized. The Department of Defense will only allow him a "blank" memorial. Why? Because Sgt. Stewart was a Wiccan.

The full story in the Review Journal

Mehlman headed down the same old road?

greatbasin2

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Sunday February 12, 2006 · 12:03 PM PST

2006/02/12 · 12:03

The GOP's playing the same old framing game on the chatterati shows and with Mehlman's press releases. I, for one, am getting tired of it. Speaking of a party with "no new ideas" that's beginning to sound more and more like the Republicans. They're hauling out the same lines they used in 2000, and again in 2004, to paint Democrats and progressives in neon colors. Consider with me, if you will, the two "non-stories" of the past week. (1) Hillary Clinton calls for Democrats to speak up and out; and, (2) Coretta Scott King's funeral "controversy." ...more below. Read More

Bush is keeping me safe from what please?

greatbasin2

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Thursday February 09, 2006 · 11:28 AM PST

2006/02/09 · 11:28

The bigoted offensive "offensive" after the Coretta Scott King funeral by Hannity, The Oxycontin Kid, and others-- "shocked" that African Americans would discuss things like wire tapping, anti-war positions, poverty, and the loss of civil liberties during a discourse on Mrs. King's life-- didn't get much traction beyond the usual WingNuts. So, we're back to good old fashioned fear mongering. "Bush details foiled Al Qaeda Plot" LA Times

So, how well is the Bush Misadministration doing at capturing terra'rists? "Details" below the fold. Read More

Stop Me! Or help me?

greatbasin2

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Wednesday February 08, 2006 · 5:46 PM PST

2006/02/08 · 17:46

Not too long ago I started a keeping a record of Republicans who've been indicted, investigated, convicted, or pleaded guilty to all kinds of nefarious stuff. At first it was just a little one page job so I could keep track of the people mentioned in various diaries here. Then two pages. And, now three. I'm figuring I'd better get this list up in diary form before it becomes a Blog Eating Leviathan that vacuums up memory like a shop-vac. I'm sure there are state and local examples of Republican shenanigans that should be added. So, either stop me! Or, take a look at the list and add names! Read More

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Battered Senator Syndrome? Dems caving on public option

Northern Exposure: GAO Report Cites Lack of Security and Resources

Imus: Once more with feeling

Ex-Halliburton Execs held Walter Reed facilities contract

Republicans Stall Senate Ethics Bill

Who's on the Look Out List?

Another Republican Staffer Another Revolving Door

The FBI searches the FEC

Wiccan Soldier won't get emblem

Mehlman headed down the same old road?

Bush is keeping me safe from what please?

Stop Me! Or help me?