Dem anger flares over pregnant lawmaker

[philosslayer]

A meeting of House Democrats flared up on Tuesday over the increasingly thorny issue of whether a pregnant member should be allowed to vote from afar in the party's leadership elections this week.

Democratic leaders, including Rep. Nancy Pelosi (Calif.), have denied a request from Rep. Tammy Duckworth (Ill.), who lost both of her legs in the Iraq War, to waive the Democratic rule barring proxy votes. Duckworth, 46, is in the last stages of a pregnancy and her doctor won't allow her to travel back to Washington to vote in person.

The denial has angered a number of Democrats, who aired their discontent during Tuesday's caucus meeting in the Capitol, after members reelected Pelosi and her top lieutenants as leaders in the next Congress.

“A lot of people felt that Tammy's patriotism and sacrifice to this country warrants special consideration. And I'm one of those people who think it's hard to make an argument that it does not require special consideration,” Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.) said afterward. “She's given parts of her body for her country, and if it came to a vote, I would vote to give her a proxy.”

http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/dem-anger-flares-over-pregnant-lawmaker/ar-BBevImE?ocid=mailsignout


I support Rep. Pelosi, but in this instance, she is very very wrong.

[Renew Deal]

1. Pelosi and Hoyer need to be replaced, but I understand why they need to do this.

Tammy is special and important. She deserves special consideration, but it doesn't have to be approved.

[CreekDog]

84. it's a freaking caucus vote, not even a vote on legislation

the leadership made a ridiculous decision and an un-progressive one at that.

[bravenak]

2. This is crazy.

I do not understand our politicians in congress. Pelosi needs to reconsider her position on this issue. We needs her votes and she needs to be able to have her baby in a comfortable location.

[Aerows]

32. Maybe if she gave birth on the House floor

some of the Representatives would take a different look at birth control.



It's insanity.

[merrily]

68. Catch 22. That would require traveling to the House.

Yes, it's insane. And very unfair, IMO.

[SickOfTheOnePct]

3. While I personally believe she should have been permitted a proxy vote

Rep. Thompson's reasoning makes no sense. She isn't asking for an accommodation based on her war injuries, she's asking for an accommodation based on her pregnancy.

[Ravenna44]

11. True which makes me wonder

-- surely a similar situation has come up many times before. For example:

- a legislator laid up in a hospital

- a legislator unable to travel due to storm conditions in her home region

- (slightly different and less compelling) a legislator unwilling to travel because of a family emergency.

It's not an issue of pregnancy. It's a question of, is it right to block elected officials from representing the people who elected them, when they are unable to travel through no fault of their own?

I vote no.

[mopinko]

19. it is my impression that it is her injuries that make it necessary for her to stay home.

i presume she is considered a high risk pregnancy due to her injuries. most women these days arent forbidden to travel like they used to be.
i can see where she would need to be with her own ob team.

[SickOfTheOnePct]

21. I'm presuming she's high risk because of her age rather than her injuries.

Air travel isn't advised after the 36th week of pregnancy for non-high risk, and she must be close to, if not past, that point.

[AngryAmish]

45. I think both of her legs are gone below her knees

Thanks, Bush, you mfer.

Anyway, extra weight plus looser ligaments means more opportunity for pressure ulcers on her stumps.

God, this is so fucked up. Fuck you Bush. And anyone who will not let her vote deserves to ... fuck them.

[SickOfTheOnePct]

46. One leg at the hip, one below the knee

If the caucus rules are that there are no proxy votes, then there are no proxy votes, period. If they want to change the rules for everyone, they can, but they can't make exceptions because then everyone will want to be the next "exception".

[LeftyMom]

56. Her injuries likely make her pregnancy higher risk.

And pregnancy is a medical issue, and should be accommodated even if one isn't a parapalegic war hero.

Is congress exempt from employment law? In any other workplace she'd be asking for a reasonable accommodation and it would be required under federal law.

[Sgent]

81. Yes

congress is exempt from employment laws.

Beyond that, congress doesn't allow for absentee voting, regardless of medical condition. Its as true for an 80 yo senator in a hospital bed as it is for an expectant mother who is unable to travel due to medical complications.

[SickOfTheOnePct]

95. I don't believe Congress is bound by the ADA

They are many federal laws to which they are not bound, this may be one of them.

[Wellstone ruled]

4. Hey,Ms.Pelosi,

You just shot yourself in the foot on this issue. Your chances of being Leader are getting Slim to none and Slim left town. Never thought our Party would be this lame.

[yeoman6987]

5. In the story, it says they voted her and her

Lieutenants back to leader already.

[belzabubba333]

10. she's already back in

[NaturalHigh]

6. How could anyone argue that this makes sense?

Is it really a big deal to allow her to participate and cast her vote from a different location?

[Action_Patrol]

8. I'm unfamiliar

With voting that's inter-party related. I know proxy votes for legislation aren't allowed. I'm guessing it is related. Doesn't make much sense if it's just for leadership positions.

[ARMYofONE]

17. Pelosi does not want Duckworth to vote. It's political.

Although I see the slippery slope concern, the real reason that Pelosi does not want to let Duckworth vote by proxy, is because Duckworth intends to support Frank Pallone for top spot on the Energy and Commerce Committee, and Pelosi wants it to go to Anna Eshoo. In short, this is a purely political move by Pelosi.

[Action_Patrol]

18. Most things are.

[merrily]

74. She's disenfranching a disabled Dem combat veteran obeying doctor's orders so she (Pelosi) can win.

That's not a common scenario or "politics as usual."

[Action_Patrol]

91. Sam sad as it is,

That is 'politics as usual'

[merrily]

93. Nope and repeating yourself doesn't make it so, either.

[Action_Patrol]

99. What are you talking about?

Saying it isn't politics as usual?

[Action_Patrol]

100. I could also say the same to your response

If nobody is allowed to do a proxy vote, it doesn't matter who or what you are.

[LanternWaste]

102. Your bumper-stickers are neither edifying nor eye-opening.

Your bumper-stickers are neither edifying nor eye-opening.

[Action_Patrol]

104. Please go on...

[Jamastiene]

94. Yeah it is.

That's how they do things and why so many of us are disgusted at it and want to see positive change.

[demwing]

98. Is that Pelosi's fault?

or is it the existing rules?

BTW, pelosi ran unopposed, she was going to win with our without Duckworth.

[ARMYofONE]

106. It wasn't about the minority leadership position. It's about a Committee appointment.

Pelosi wants to reward her close friend, Anna Eshoo, with the Energy and Commerce Committee position. Duckworth wants the spot to go to Frank Pallone, who has seniority over Eshoo. Essentially, Pelosi is breaking with tradition in appointing her friend over Pallone and many in the caucus do not like it. Duckworth is one of those, and Pelosi does not want her voting.

[Renew Deal]

37. It's not necessarily about her.

It's about precedent.

[justiceischeap]

7. You do realize if she was given special consideration, it would be sexist, right?

It would also open up proxy votes to anyone and everyone who felt they had a reason for special consideration.

I think they made the right decision, no matter how badly the vote is needed.

[WinkyDink]

12. You're kidding, right? It's a MEDICAL reason.

[Action_Patrol]

15. Nobody gets an out for any

Medical condition for votes pertaining to legislation. You are either present or your vote isn't cast.
A lot of times upon returning, a member will put an item into the congressional record that says 'I was absent on (insert day and time) for (insert reason) f I were present during (insert legislation) I would have voted (yay/nay)'

It doesn't affect the vote but puts their thoughts and feelings on the record.

[Scootaloo]

39. This isn't legislation.

[Action_Patrol]

40. Hence my reply above.

I said this seemed to not make sense when you are talking about pure caucus votes

[merrily]

73. Actually, you vetoed legislation. So, when would you allow a pregnant woman acting on

doctor's orders to vote by proxy?

[Action_Patrol]

90. Where do you draw the line for any medical condition?

If there are zero proxy votes I guess the answer is zero

[merrily]

92. I am not at all sure there are zero proxy votes. I don't think you are, either.

But, why did you post your objection was about caucuses?

[Action_Patrol]

103. I know I work on the Hill and have never heard of

Or seen a proxy vote.

My objection to caucus votes was simply due to inclusiveness. If you want an honest poll of your party for leadership, being present doesn't seem to be a factor I would consider. There's no duress or pressure on the voter.

[merrily]

70. IIRC, Kennedy did on occasion. Granted, that was the Senate.

[justiceischeap]

97. Prohibition against proxy voting

http://clerk.house.gov/legislative/house-rules.pdf

Page 17 of PDF

(f) A vote by a member of a committee or subcommittee with respect to any measure or matter may not be cast by proxy.

If Pelosi made an exception for Duckworth based on her medical condition, a medical condition specific only to women, that would in fact be sexist.

I will reiterate that I think Pelosi was right in denying Duckworth a proxy vote. First, it's against the rules and second, if she makes this exception, where does it stop?

One of the reasons proxy voting was abolished was to prevent House members from basically "phoning it in." It made them have to be present at their jobs. We complain about how little our government works and then complain that Pelosi didn't bend one of the rules that ensures politicians are actually present.

I know Duckworth isn't trying to get out of his job, I get that she has a medical condition but it still was the right thing to do because no one wants to set the precedent that this would have set.

[merrily]

71. NO! Doctor's orders, ffs. It's sexist to make an exception for certain medical

reasons but not the ones that affect only women.

[whistler162]

9. Too bad there is nothing in existance

that will allow a live image tyoe picture to go between two places nearly instantly,. Maybe with sound.

Someone really needs to invent that sort of thing.

[Yupster]

13. Same thing I was thinking

I know a guy, Angelo Skype who's been tinkering in his basement lately.

I'll ask him if he has any ideas.

[whistler162]

23. Someday....sigh.

[2naSalit]

14. One would hope that

with all the technological advances of our time... the interwebs, landing a craft on a moving comet....

Congress needs to get hip to the 21st century!

[whistler162]

24. I would settle for the later half

of the 20th century.

[2naSalit]

26. Indeed.

[hfojvt]

61. oh sure

send people off on a skype hunt

[WillowTree]

16. How many times to date has an exception been made for a man for one medical reason or another?

[Action_Patrol]

20. None. There's no proxy votes.

[Aerows]

30. Bullshit

The only time it is prohibited is if the member of Congress is present. In clear and present medical situations, it is permitted.

If giving birth to a child doesn't count as an inability to be present, then I don't know what in the hell does.

[SickOfTheOnePct]

31. Do you have a citation for that?

Because Nancy Pelosi says that it isn't permitted in the House or in the Democratic caucus, and I assume she knows what she's talking about.

[Action_Patrol]

36. Nice profanity.

I've been here at the Capitol for nearly two decades. Please provide proof as I've never heard of such a thing. Otherwise when Byrd, Kennedy and Inouye were sick and in the hospital then surely this mystical proxy vote would have been used, correct?

[branford]

79. It is also my understanding from my short time on Capital Hill and law school many moons ago,

that a legislator must actually be present in the relevant chamber to vote on legislation. It's easy to understand the reasons for such an uncompromising rule.

However, the rules and procedures for internal caucus votes and other "non-official" matters like the one at issue, are set entirely by the members, and there is nothing legally that would have prevented an accommodation for Rep. Duckworth.

Since there is no dispute that Rep. Duckworth cannot travel due to pregnancy related complications on her doctor's instructions, besides the fact that she is a disabled veteran, I see no reason other than malice or crass politics for her not to be allowed a proxy vote.

If I were a Republican, I would be discussing Minority Leader Pelosi's and all the Democrat's "War on Women" before every television camera I could find.

[Action_Patrol]

89. Oof. Don't give them any ideas

[Raine1967]

22. Has there ever been a proxy vote?

I know it is a medical reason, but I actually feel like letting this happen in a slippery slope.

People need to be there for a vote. That is how the very basic rules of government are. I know this is hard core stuff, but Ted Kennedy missed a vote on the stimulus that I am very sure we all know he would have voted for.

http://www.nbcnews.com/id/29184644/ns/politics-capitol_hill/t/ted-kennedy-miss-final-stimulus-vote/#.VGvweMaiX8s

We can discuss if this is sexist, but I don't think this is sexist at all. People need to be present to vote. I appreciate that Rep. Duckworth wanted to vote in absentia, but I don't know if that has ever been allowed before.

[Aerows]

29. Giving birth isn't a valid damn reason

to vote in absentia!?

[SickOfTheOnePct]

33. She's not giving birth

And no, it's apparently not a valid reason, since proxy votes aren't permitted.

[MADem]

66. I love me some Tammy, too, but I've never seen it happen.

They used to strap old Strom into a wheelchair and drag him over from Walter Reed to vote, then bring him home. But he turned up and pushed his bony digit into the "Whatever the Dems Don't Want" button, reliably. He had staffers who were likely hired for their ability to lift an old dude strapped in a wheelchair...

[pinboy3niner]

72. For Dem caucus votes there have been no exceptions made, for any reason, for 4 decades. nt

[branford]

80. So what? Change should come when circumstances warrant.

Blacks, women and those who didn't own significant tracts of land also once could not vote. We realized the folly of such rules, and corrected them, even going as far as amending the Constitution. I hardly think changing the Democratic caucus leadership proxy voting rules will lead to the dissolution of the Republic or anarchy. However, permitting a small and reasonable accommodation to a pregnant disabled veteran with a legitimate and proven medical issue might just demonstrate the Democrats are sincere in their "War on Women" rhetoric.

[merrily]

88. Story says, his vote would not have mattered

Near the very end, I think the Senate did quietly let him vote by phone or proxy or some method that allowed him to stay home.

I don't know why it's a slippery slope. If people can hear the debate if they wish, why not? Usually, they are not even in the room until the vote is called. In 2014, with skype everything else, what is so sacred about being under one roof, if there is a medical reason not to be?

If Pelosi had allowed it, would you have faulted her for so doing?

[progressoid]

105. In the Senate, yes. The House has different rules.

Senator Tim Johnson voted by proxy

While absent from the chamber, Johnson is not allowed to vote on the Senate floor or even to vote to move a bill out of the Senate Appropriations Committee, on which he sits. But he is allowed to vote "by proxy" on amendments to committee bills.

Johnson approved the use of his proxy - as senators often do - when the committee considered a war spending bill Thursday. It turned out that his vote was only needed once, on an amendment to boost Medicaid funding. Johnson supported the amendment.

[Aerows]

27. Now that is a pile of shit.

Duckworth has given more to her country than most, and she is doing the best for her child.

If the Democratic Party and Pelosi can't get on board and honour her wishes to bear her child while participating in the Legislative process, then they can all piss off.

Wrong, just flat out WRONG.

[GeorgeGist]

28. Archaic

like Republicans.

[bluestateguy]

34. I really don't see why the big prohibition on proxy voting

Don't we want members of Congress to vote on bills, procedural matters and the leadership of their party?

It's no different than a voter voting absentee in an election.

As long as a proxy vote is not abused or overused, I don't see what the problem would be.

[Ink Man]

35. Let's put the shoe

on the other foot.

If the GOP leadership said no to a proxy vote this place would go nuts.

If it's the rule then follow it. I pray for her and for a healthy baby.

[Owl]

38. Ain't a vote a vote regardless of where you are? I don't get it.

[Dont call me Shirley]

41. Let Tammy vote!

[yellowwoodII]

42. I wonder

I wonder if Sen. Kirk got to vote after his stroke?
At 46, her pregnancy would be considered high risk.
I've never liked Pelosi since she wanted to censure Turkey over something they did in about 1915. It was a long time ago.
Just what we need--to alienate another Middle Eastern country that we need as an ally.

[MADem]

48. You might want to talk to the Armenians about that "something" that was a long time ago.

It wasn't just a piddling little thing, and it is the DENIAL of it that is problematic.

[JI7]

51. WTF ?

"I've never liked Pelosi since she wanted to censure Turkey over something they did in about 1915. It was a long time ago."

[LeftyMom]

57. Today in LM Explains California Politics: The Armenian Genocide is a Big Damn Deal.

There are a lot of Armenian-Americans in the central valley in particular. They vote. This is really fucking important to them.

I swear, it's the closest thing to a bipartisan issue you'll find in CA. EVERY politician running for any post above school board puts out a statement on the genocide and rejecting revisionism and calling on Turkey admit what happened.

Let me put it this way: if Germany's official position on WWII was that they didn't know what happened to all those Jews but maybe they starved to death or moved away because times were hard, would the US call on them to admit their role? Even though they run the Eurozone and are rich as Croesus and make cars which are quite lovely as long as they're under warranty? OF COURSE WE WOULD.

And we're not in danger of falling out with Turkey. We make all the best military hardware and their border backs up to an actual fucking warzone. Also their good relationship with us the only thing keeping the Kurds from carving off their own country, which Turkey doesn't want because they'd lose a chunk. If they got too huffy with us we'd stop telling the Kurds to wait for that inevitability a bit longer.

Oh wait, that turned into LM Explains CA Politics and Geopolitics. Lucky you, now you understand two things.

[MADem]

62. That was pretty righteous. I contemplated taking the poster to school, but you did a much

better job than I ever could have.

[Kalidurga]

43. I Democratic party is the party of progress perhaps...

they should also be more flexible when it comes to the way things have been traditionally done.

[RandySF]

44. Nancy is losing it.

Between this, her snapping at the press and saying money would have solved the 2014 election, she's looking way too insular, and this is what happens after a long tenure in leadership.

[MADem]

50. "Losing it?" "Snapping at the press?"

You are probably not INTENDING to sound sexist, but you're sounding really, really sexist.

How dare Nancy point out that she is treated DIFFERENTLY than male Congressional leaders? She should just "hush up" and "keep sweet," and not get all "uppity" and such. No "snapping" there, Nance...in fact, she should have told Luke the Dook Russert that he had a point about old ladies in Congress!


in the extreme for anyone who doesn't take my point.

[RandySF]

76. Is Nancy being sexist by denying her vote?

Let's just keep Reid and Pelosi is leadership so they can get even more insulated from what's really happening in the country and the party. And Nancy can keep doing the same parties telling the same crowds that all we need to win is shell out more to the DCCC, no matter how many millions they raised and spent. All the while, the Republicans keep kicking the shit out of us at the state level taking over chamber after chamber keep drawing and redrawing the Congressional district. Keep whistling past that graveyard and accuse everyone who thinks differently of being a sexist.

[MADem]

78. What does your subject line even MEAN?

You're going to have to explain that because it makes no damn sense.

There are no proxies allowed. That has nothing to do with gender. Pelosi wants to change that; I don't think she will succeed, but it's her opinion and she's a right to it.

I think your language appeared sexist because of the WORDS THAT YOU USED, not because of Republicans or graveyards or any of that other chaff you're tossing out to try to distract from the WORDS that you TYPED in your POST.

[MADem]

47. I say put Tammy at the fancy new Bethesda medical center, in a beautiful new suite

Last edited Wed Nov 19, 2014, 02:44 AM - Edit history (1)

paid for by the taxpayers, where her aides can come by with documents for her to sign and her chief of staff can brief her privately and comfortably. When she needs to vote, wheel her bed to a fully equipped ambulance, and wheel her into the House of Representatives IN HER BED, let her vote, and then wheel her out.

You do know that for YEARS---yes, YEARS--Strom Thurmond had a suite at Walter Reed on Georgia Avenue. I used to see the doddering old so and so being wheeled here and there when I was getting treated there. He LIVED at Walter Reed--he wasn't a patient, he was a resident. They wheeled him round in a wheelchair when he needed to vote...

[librechik]

49. +1000 n/t

[Man from Pickens]

52. Tiny flaw in that plan

Wheeling her into the Senate wouldn't do a heck of a lot of good since she's a member of the House.

[pinboy3niner]

53. Well...

Picky, picky, picky.

[MADem]

63. GAAAH--stupid me, of course she is! I will correct!

Need to go to bed! I was focused on Sen-ah-tuh Strom in his wheelchair being wheeled down that ramp into the well!

[pinboy3niner]

54. Excellent plan--except she probably wants to stick with her OB

Nobody would expect her to give up her doctor to do this, especially at this point in her pregnancy.

Other than that, I like it. I had a few surgeries at the old NNMC myself, spending a week or two with a room in the tower each time, and I know it's an easy drive from there down to the Capitol.

[MADem]

65. I was operated on there, too--twice! No -- three times!

Twice as a kid in the dark ages, when all that is "old" was shiny and new, and once towards the end of my career. They didn't kill me, so that's a recommendation!

[pinboy3niner]

82. Three times here, too

I relocated from CA to the D.C. area for treatment at Bethesda on the advice of the Navy docs there who had been doing a followup study on combat facial injuries and the experimental bone grafts the Army did. They had predicted my graft would fail, and they were right. So over the course of 2 years or so they did one op to remove the graft, one failed attempt to replace it, and a final one that was successful.

I lucked out in having excellent surgeons there (as well as in the Army).

[MADem]

110. Good for them--and better for you!

I got really good docs too--all went well except at the last op a Congressman stole my pain meds (really--and he didn't need 'em, either--O and the RADM running the joint at the time had a discussion about that because my pain management wasn't adequately managed; I didn't blame the guy doing the work, if someone steals your drugs AND your delivery system, what are ya gonna do? My stoic nature was put to the test during that evolution!) but he ended up in jail. Hope the bastard enjoyed that morphine pump! Hope he enjoyed jail even more!

[LeftyMom]

59. Her doctor says she can't travel.

It's not a matter of where she'd stay when she gets to DC. She can't go.

[MADem]

60. Maybe he'd let her go in a bus outfitted as an ambulance. Maybe he could "go with"

and help get her settled.

I think the proxy request is a non-starter.

[LeftyMom]

69. If she's high risk she's not going anywhere, let alone on a two day ambulance ride.

The very notion is irresponsible.

[MADem]

77. I'm not talking about a crappy ambulance. I'm talking about the AF1 of ambulances!

Hell, maybe Obama could make a trip to the area and bring her on home on AF1. It's a flying hospital after all.

That's IF she wanted to vote. Maybe she just wants a leave of absence.

There's nothing happening in the House where one vote is going to matter. And it's a poor precedent to try and set. There are times when a Republican in the hospital, or stuck in traffic, or whatever, might work to our benefit. I don't think it's a good idea to try and change this up.

If she feels she can be there, great, if not...well, we shall have to make do.

[lonestarnot]

64. I'll second all that!

[Cha]

55. Don't agree with Nancy.. it's glaringly evident that Tammy Duckworth is incapable of flying back

due to the birth of her baby.

I don't see why anyone shouldn't be able vote if it were physically impossible to be there.. like now.

[longship]

83. Sorry Cha. If she isn't present on the floor, she cannot vote.

As much as I love Tammy Duckworth, a proxie vote in this case would set a precedence, one which has been in place since... Forever.

Now one could argue the point, but that would entail taking in all sides of the issue. I am sure that the Democratic caucus did that.

I have no problem with Pelosi's announcement.

And I hope Tammy has a beautiful child.

Best regards

[Cha]

86. Well.. I guess it's a no brainer then.. stay home and keep your

baby and yourself safe!

Best regards to you longship.. We got a victory today!

[longship]

87. Victories are sweet.

And I <heart> Tammy Duckworth.

She rolled three sixes on the charisma dice. Sorry for the Dungeons and Dragons allusion.

[lonestarnot]

58. Give that woman a damn proxy due to totality of circumstance. Who else is or has been, ever,

similarly situated? Hard pressed to think of anyone.

[merrily]

67. IIRC, Kennedy was allowed to vote "from afar" when his health prevented travel.

I understand that he was dying (and in the Senate) and pregnancy is usually a joyful occasion--assuming nothing unfortunate happens to you or the baby because you travel against doctor's orders, but a health issue is a health issue.

[merrily]

75. Sexism sucks, no matter where it's found.

[CreekDog]

85. My God, when their sense of fairness is afraid to let a disabled war veteran participate

Last edited Wed Nov 19, 2014, 04:23 PM - Edit history (1)

in this circumstance, they're missing the forest for the trees.

take the lumps and let her vote in this caucus decision.

take the lumps standing up for a recognized war veteran and pregnant woman.

can this party do anything politically expedient?

[LeftyMom]

107. I figured it out: schedule a field hearing, go to her.

Excellent political theater.

[CreekDog]

109. great idea

not sure the folks at the top understand that theater is not always a bad thing, that it can be used to do good things, that it can be done honestly and finally

--that it can actually be used to help them, not simply used against them.

i sincerely believe much of the leadership thinks that political theater is something that can only be used by the other side.

[on point]

96. I am sure there have been sick men, or men with family obligations who didn't get a waiver

So I think I support this decision in not making an exception for Tammy because they would need to make exceptions for everyone all the time.

Does this mean in the modern world perhaps they ought to think about changing the rule? That maybe needed. But it is the rule now.

[daleanime]

101. Very, very, very......

Wrong.

[jillan]

108. Jon Stewart dished out a pile of shit for Pelosi last nite and she deserved every bit of it.