In recent weeks, folks have begun comparing this congress to the congress of the Truman era, which the president labeled as “do nothing”. But things are different nowadays. The Republican congress is doing something, just nothing important.
So far:
- Constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage: it failed
- Constitutional amendment to ban flag burning: it failed
- Spent 40 hours debating faulty, non-binding resolution on Iraq
- Repeal the estate tax to help out Paris Hilton and Bill Gates: delayed because they likely don’t have the votes
- Keeping “Under God” in the pledge of allegiance: it failed
Going forward:
- Banning Internet gambling (won’t pass)
- “Fetal pain” bill
- A bill to loosen restrictions so we have more guns on the street
They’re not a “do nothing” congress. They’re a “do nothing important” congress.
UPDATE: Our bold congress is invoking the tradition of Lincoln, Washington and the forefathers as they… have an emergency meeting to create legislation to slam the New York Times. BOLD!
They’re idiots. Like their bosses Smirk and Snarl.
Oliver, did you forget the Voting Rights Act? Oh no, that’s right the Republicans did. Or maybe they would just prefer to…
Flag amendment faces close Senate vote
…
A constitutional amendment to ban flag desecration faced a close Senate vote Tuesday, with supporter…
Yep…nothing important going on in the Senate during 2006.
The House hasn’t been doing anything important during 2006 either.
No, JWG, they haven’t. Unless you count banning gay marriage and condemning the NYT as “important”.
They’re not “doing nothing.” They are eating in fine restaurants, for instance. But what they are not doing is their jobs.
What they really seem to need is adult supervision.
I don’t. But I gave you a list of 189 votes in 2006 from the Senate and 346 from the House. If you’re going to tell me that none of them are important, then that says a lot about you.
Just your luck to make that argument on the same day the economy grows 5.6%.
Tell us, oh wise one, what they’ve accomplished that is going to effect the country positively. Try and take just a little bit of a bi-partisan attitude, and leave out the ones we’ll obviously throw out. (Like tax cuts, which even Bush’s new economics guy says don’t pay for themselves.)
In the Senate since only May 18, 2006 (There’s plenty more if you would bother reading for yourself).
Agreed to: Kennedy Amdt. No. 4322; To amend the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to provide for an increase in the Federal minimum wage.
Agreed to: Biden Amdt. No. 4257; To state the policy of the United States on the nuclear programs of Iran.
Agreed to: H.R.4939 Conference Report; Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act for Defense, the Global War on Terror, and Hurricane Recovery, 2006
Agreed to: Gregg Amdt. No. 4114; To amend title II of the Immigration and Nationality Act to reform the diversity visa program and create a program that awards visas to aliens with an advanced degree in science mathematics, technology, or engineering.
Agreed to: Byrd Amdt. No. 4127; To fund improvements in border and interior security by assessing a $500 supplemental fee under title VI.
Agreed to: Grassley Amdt. No. 4177; To provide a substitute to title III.
Agreed to: Ensign Amdt. No. 4076 as Modified; To authorize the use of the National Guard to secure the southern border of the United States.
Agreed to: Cornyn Amdt. No. 4038; To require aliens seeking adjustment of status under section 245B of the Immigration and Nationality Act or Deferred Mandatory Departure status under section 245C of such Act to pay a supplemental application fee, which shall be used to provide financial assistance to States for health and educational services for noncitizens.
Just from the Senate in 2006 (with the exception of Roberts’ confirmation):
Roberts & Alito
Tax Increase Prevention and Reconciliation Act of 2005
USA PATRIOT Act Additional Reauthorizing Amendments Act of 2006
Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program
S.Amdt. 2999: To provide increased funding for veterans health programs
Amdt. No. 3050: To increase funding for the Community Develeopment Block Grant Program
Amdt. No. 3061: To provide funding for maritime security, including the Container Security Initiative, improved data for targeted cargo searches, and full background checks and security threat assessments of personnel at our nation’s seaports.
I’m genuinely interested in what the resident Malkinite trolls here believe are the real legislative achievments for the GOP in the past year and a half. Seriously, I’d like to hear it.
Would it be a crime to burn a paper flag? What about a drawing of a flag on paper? Illegal to burn a photo of a flag? What about burning a photo of a person burning a flag?
Some funhouse you got here.
I normally would have no desire to desecrate the flag, and never have done so. But if there were a Constitutional amendment against flag burning I would stand on my roof and set one aflame to see how the new law would be enforced. I mean, what if you burn only half a flag? Or what if you just Photoshop the burning of a flag? Or what if you, like George Bush, autograph a flag for an admirer? It would appear that the GOP is trying to help lawyers drum up more work.
If anything, such an amendment would lead to a 10,000-fold increase in the number of flag-burning incidents. It would achieve the opposite of what its proponents say is so important. Talk about being bankrupt of any ideas.
Would it have to be a complete, correct flag? What if I burn some red and white striped cloth? What about a flag with 12 stripes instead of 13? Or 14?
“If anything, such an amendment would lead to a 10,000-fold increase in the number of flag-burning incidents.”
I completely agree. I’ve never had any interest or reason to burn a flag, but I would roast a star-spangled Guy Falkes dummy with Bill Frist’s face on it every freaking 4th of July if this amendment got any traction.
What if you drop a flag on the ground? Or a picture of a flag? Or a picture of a flag on the ground? Do you need to get a special exemption to burn a flag after it has fallen on the ground?
What if a house burns down with a flag hanging from the front door? What if the flag was wrapped around an ebola victim, and the flag had to be burned to stop the infection?
[...] Great summary of the do nothing important Congress by Oliver Willis: [...]
From the Flag Keepers Website; they saved the irony for those scrolling to the end—-
The Flag Keepers’ Flag Retirement Ceremony
CEREMONY LEADER
(Include a chaplain/prayer per your tradition)
“We are gathered here to destroy these flags that have been deemed no longer serviceable. It is proclaimed that each of these flags has served well.
These flags have inspired those who desired the taste of freedom and have represented hope to those oppressed by tyranny and terror. These flags have welcomed any and all in the name of liberty.
The American flag flies free to the wind. The American flag flies above residential porches, camp sites, small businesses, corporate offices, hospitals, schools, military and naval bases, government buildings and nonprofit organizations. The American flag is the most displayed and recognized banner in the world.
These flags serve as constant reminders to all of us that we live in a country where our freedom has been deeply purchased by blood, sweat, tears and ultimate sacrifice. We must not forsake what those in the service to this flag, and their families, have forfeited.
We have here this day an empty Place of Honor for those who cannot attend due to devastating injury, infirmity, and death.
Please direct your attention to the Place of Honor as I read today s names of ___ (fill in the number) of those patriots. In your mind s eye see these people and think about them.”
To all who shall see these presents, greeting. Know ye that these flags have served well and honorably. Their stars and stripes have been loosed to the winds of freedom and have basked in the light of liberty.”
CALL ATTENTION/ALL RISE (Those that Can)
“Please join me to recite the Pledge of Allegiance”: (PAUSE) “I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America. And to the Republic for which it stands, one nation, under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all”.
STAND AT EASE
Read, The U.S. Flag Code states , (PAUSE) “The flag, when it is in such condition that it is no longer a fitting emblem for display, should be destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by burning”.
(OPTIONAL) Dedicate this ceremony to an individual American who loved the Flag (Read previously obtained info about the honoree)
CALL ATTENTION/ALL RISE
Staff member inserts one properly folded flag into the incinerator/fire
Sing or recite the first stanza of God Bless America
“While the storm clouds gather far across the sea,
Let us swear allegiance to a land that’s free,
Let us all be grateful for a land so fair,
As we raise our voices in a solemn prayer.”
God bless America,
Land that I love.
Stand beside her, and guide her
Thru the night with a light from above.
From the mountains, to the prairies,
To the oceans, white with foam
God bless America, my home sweet home.
STAND AT EASE
STAFF MEMBER OR CEREMONY LEADER Ladies and gentlemen, this concludes the ceremony. God bless America.
When guests have departed, staff members and volunteers burn the remaining flags.
—- Unquote!
There is a method for the proper disposal of flags: Burning them. Same as the method for desecating ‘em. I think it’s a perfect piece of GOP sponsored legislation, sort of like the USA Patriot Act.
http://www.flagkeepers.org/FlagRules.asp
Kind of ironical, ain’t it?