Anyway, in the middle of it–and I really wish I could remember which senator was speaking at the time–Fox went to News Flash mode and ran a double screen showing the NYSE board approaching the 11,000 DJA.

As for analysis, it depends on who was talking when that news flash occurred.

If it came during an anti-Alito rant by a Democrat, well, what a great way for the wingnuts to shift the focus from the strip-searcher to how great the Bush tax-breaks-for-the-rich economy is.

If the news flash came as a Republican was kissing the strip searcher’s ass, well Jeeze Louise, what a lucky friggin’ break!

But let’s be realistic. The Republicans control the House, the Senate, and the Presidency. Which means that ALL phases of legislation are well within their control — they can pass legislation even if every last Democrat and Independent in Congress votes against it. Other than filibusters, Democrats really have no power to influence legislation.

True that. I just like to blame the right ones.

A lot. They have to work hard to write at a level you can comprehend.

Yeah I am, but so is blaming it on Bush because he signed it. Who were Spectre’s co-horts, by the way? I haven’t been able to find out.

I don’t know, either; looks like that link you provided only gives the House sponsorship.

Actually, I can’t really blame Bush for signing a must-pass DOJ reauthorization bill, because it’s very, very broad. Specter and whoever else slipped it in, yes.

These omnibus bills with little poison pills slipped in are a big reason why Senators don’t get elected President — it’s too easy to bludgeon them with “You voted against the Defense bill! You hate our troops!” when they were, say, taking a principled stand over a rider that had nothing to do with defense appropriations.

But let’s be realistic. The Republicans control the House, the Senate, and the Presidency. Which means that ALL phases of legislation are well within their control — they can pass legislation even if every last Democrat and Independent in Congress votes against it. Other than filibusters, Democrats really have no power to influence legislation.

The previous post is loosely choice-related, but here’s my real Blog [...]

Aw, poor little B Moe’s fee-fees hurt just because I referred to an aspect of a bill becoming law.

It must suck to be Bush right now. Casually mention one of his minor accomplishments*, and his defenders accuse you of *blaming* him. Way to stab your president in the back, dude.

*yes, signing an appropriations bill is an accomplishment. Were I president, and absent a line-item veto, I’d likely have done exactly what B Moe accuses me of “blaming Bush” of doing. Though I might have taken time out to subject Bill from INDC to Extraordinary Rendition in Ann Arbor first.

BMoe, you’re being disingenuous.

Yeah I am, but so is blaming it on Bush because he signed it. Who were Spectre’s co-horts, by the way? I haven’t been able to find out.

Does the Constitution require that courts provide the same legal protections to gays as to racial minorities and women?

How do you define “legal protection”? Does it include, say, marriage, or do you mean just anti-discrimination legislation?