August 27, 2021

Award to the Non-Partisan Floor Staff of the US House and Senate

The attack on the Capitol on January 6 has left a scar on the congressional community which will last forever. Many Members of Congress, law enforcement officers and congressional staff have talked openly about the impact the attacks had on their mental well-being. Yet there is one group rarely heard from who played a crucial role on that fateful day: the nonpartisan floor staff of the US House and Senate. This is a group of public servants who are rarely recognized for their contributions, and yet without whom the engine of democracy would fail to function. On January 6 they were put in harm's way, asked to go above and beyond expectations, and worked with others to protect the peaceful transition of power which is the hallmark of our democracy. These public servants were the stewards of democracy when we needed them most and continue to perform admirably as silent patriots serving under the dome. We owe them our gratitude for their outstanding work before, during, and after January 6, 2021.

It is for these reasons that the Congressional Management Foundation has chosen an unusual tribute this year: bestowing a Special Democracy Award to the nonpartisan floor staff of the US House and Senate. We hope this recognition will for a brief moment shine a light on the work of these silent patriots, and demonstrate to the broader congressional community - and indeed all Americans - that democracy doesn't simply function by itself. Democracy needs dedicated public servants, willing to make sacrifices, to perform their jobs irrespective of ideology and political party. We congratulate these staffers for their continued service to the Congress and the American people.

August 12, 2021

I usually don't watch Chuck Todd

But when I walked back in my office and he was on the screen…. He has changed none, it is the kick the shit out of the Biden Administration hour. Where was this guy the last 4 years. My god, he sucks.

July 27, 2021

Please remember while Officer Daniel Hodges testifies

The day after almost being rushed to death, after being beaten, sprayed with chemicals, crushed by a mob he said

“ it was his pleasure to "crush a white nationalist insurrection."

"If it wasn't my job I would have done that for free. It was absolutely my pleasure to crush a white nationalist insurrection," Daniel Hodges told NBC. "I'm glad I was in a position to be able to help. We'll do it as many times as it takes."

Hodges said he was pinned to the doorway while trying to push back the mob.

"They ripped my mask off. Stole my equipment. Beat me up. Sprayed me with everything," he said.

July 14, 2021

The Winter Whitehouse (sarcasm), but only partly

I am thinking the Federal Government is going to have to take Mar a largo via Eminent Domain so that President Biden has the use of the Winter Whitehouse. Then the Secret Service will not have to pay those crazy bills to stay there when the President is there. TFG can stay there when the President is not there but there will be no more padding his pockets.

July 7, 2021

I spent most of yesterday thinking and reflecting on what happened to our country 6 months ago

I reviewed my notes from that evening while everything was fresh in my mind. Here we are 6 months later I still can not believe that an insurrection took place, that the US Capitol was breached, the US Capitol, the most recognizable symbol of our democracy came under attack.

I am stunned that so many are not willing to believe their own eyes. They saw the attack, they know what happened, but, backed by FOX, OAN and others, they are acting as if what they saw was not real. It’s like it was a UFO, they know they saw something but they are not really sure what they saw.

The attack was violent, the sights, the sounds, the smells, the fear, the anger, the hostility, it was real, it happened, and I can’t for the life of me understand how anyone could not understand that.

It really worries me, we can laugh about stupid people believing in “alternative facts”, that the President is 6’4 and 240, that his inauguration was the largest ever, that Covid would just go away, that we would be open by Easter, that the vaccine is worse than covid…….the lies go on, but really, we all saw it, some closer than others

People died, a police officer was killed, two more later took their own lives, insurrectionists died and one was killed by a police officer. The building was in shambles, trash, weapons, broken glass and furniture, blood, shit and piss, yet members of Congress, those who were there will now tell us it was like any other tourist visit to the building.

I don’t understand, we all saw it, some live, some on tv in real time, some hours and days later, hell, the FB I just released new footage today.

We all need to wake the fuck up….. this happened, it was a real attempt to end the American experience in democracy and all these right wing fakers still try to tell us differently.

July 2, 2021

Absolutely insane ride home in Washington DC Suburbs

Literally almost blown off 395. I know how Dorothy felt. Trees were bending every which way.

June 29, 2021

Still love the Brian Williams snark

When talking about Senator Johnson, comments, “Translated from the original Russian”. He is funny.

Dr Bedlia was trying to suppress a grin.

June 21, 2021

Pelosi Staff on last nights CNN Special "they take us hostage?, yea, I think"

https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/staffers-recall-insurrectionists-hunting-nancy-063839952.html

It was chilling when the two women who worked for the Speaker were recounting their 1/6 experience. Hiding behind a closed door and hoping that it would protect them after the exterior doors had already been breached. The insurrectionist hauntingly calling out "Nancy, where are you".

One of them said while they were talking that day while hoping the door would hold, "They take us hostage, right?" the other said "yea, I think?" and Republicans are calling it a regular tourism day. Listening to them last night, I felt terrible. They were hoping that if found they would be taken hostage as it sounded better than the alternative. let that set in, they were hoping to be taken hostage..... We failed them. Anyone who was in the building that day needs to go to jail to ensure this never happens again. If there are not consequences, it will..... This is the definition of Domestic Terrorism. Terrorists need to be treated as such. Investigate, Charge, Hold trials, Convict, Jail and set the example so this does not happen again.

June 13, 2021

There the Speaker goes again, telling the truth and repeating

It was an insurrection incited by the then President of the US.
Watching the CNN State of the Union interview with Dana Basch.

June 11, 2021

It's official, We Are a Banana Republic

Trump used the Justice Department to investigate his political rivals, The Congress of the United States.

Trump hired his family into positions which they were not qualified to hold.

Trump used the US Government to enrich himself through direct and indirect payments.

Trump used the Justice Department to investigate the press.

Trump used his Mob to Attack the Congress in an attempt to stop the counting of votes.

Trump used Federal Buildings and Employees as part of his run for re-election.

Trump used the military as a prop for his election.

Trump refuses to believe in science.

Trump Lies regularly.

Trump appointed incompetents to the courts.

Trump brought incompetence to the Covid fight allowing over 600,000 Americans to die.

Trump has left us in the position of having to investigate our former Head of State.

Trump has turned the United States into a banana republic, and I hate to say this but we are fucked. I never thought one person could lead others to do so much damage in America.