11/20 House Proceedings

The House starts the day with a prayer from a chaplain? No way. Who knew? I think that's kind of suspect, but he ended with a good line, "..because in America, we not only hope to be blessed, but we hope to be a blessing to the world."

Rep. Alcee Hastings (D-Florida) is complaining that the house is about to pass a bill that 99% of house members haven't read. Seriously, that's just common sense. And plus, he's wearing a purple tie. What's not to like? Hell, I think house members should have to pass a goddamn exam on a bill before they vote for it. Wouldn't that make sense? Why should someone who can't demonstrate adequate knowledge of a bill be allowed to vote on it? ("This process smells, and the odor wafts from sea to shining sea... I ask, why the rush?" - awesome line by Alcee) Oooh, I like this idea. Imagine Congressmen huddled in a hallway scrum after their grades are posted. Or imagine Orrin Hatch gossiping at the Senate cafeteria after a tough budget bill exam, "I like totally failed that. No, seriously, totally."

Rep. Pete "Jam" Sessions has a jawline to die for. I didn't hear what he said, but he's got a good mug.

Now the minority whip, the Stenmeister, (Steny Hoyer, D-Maryland) is making fun of Jam because Jam said we should be proud of this bill and the process that lead to it, but Steny thinks that it's disgraceful. "I do not share the gentleman's pride in this process."

Now Jam is responding. He basically said, "We gotta do what we gotta do." Then he said he didn't have any more speakers and asked Alcee to do the same, but Alcee said he's got 2 more speakers, and passed the mic to Rep. Sheila "Jackson" Lee (D-Texas).

She says it's bunk that our troops in Iraw don't have the equipment they need. Amen to that. And then she said that even though they passed a bill about Sudan yesterday, there is still rape and murder going on there and that the US could do more. "As we proceed today, I don't know that we will be able to say to the American people that we have done our best."

Alcee just passed the mic to Barney Frank (D-Mass). "In our society there are essential needs that can only be met if we pool our money." That's a great way of putting it. That's the best plain english explanation of taxes I've heard in a while. "The majority has successfully hidden from the American people the full consequences of their philosophy." Another great line. Hahahah..."and there is money for Mars...and maybe, someday, the homeless can live their, because they are certainly not finding funding here."

MC Alcee, back on the mic. He's kicking the shaved head/beard look. He's really cruising now, that was a great speech. Awesome. I wish I had that on tape.

Back to Jam, and maybe it's just me but this sounds like hot air. Blah.

The guy running this House session is kicking the Billy Bob Thornton scraggly beard. I should know his name. It's not Hastert, this guy is pinch hitting for him.

Today's Saturday? When did that happen? I'm at 5.6 miles.