The Bishop and the Butterfly: Murder, Politics, and the End of the Jazz Age

    I take it back (update).

    Well, I'm embarrassed to say that our new democratic congressperson in Idaho is one of the 11 who voted against the stimulus package.  I'm not sure what this means for my long-term support of the man, but today I am very very disappointed.

    I take back all the nice things I said about him that's for sure.  I can't wait to hear the bullshit excuse his office slings tomorrow.

    Update: Ok, after writing a nasty letter, making a little voodoo doll and generally cursing and sputtering for a bit I realized I'm being very un-dude about this whole thing.  I'd gotten very uptight in my thinking.  It dawned on me: the democrats have one hell of a majority.  Every republican can oppose them, they can let a dozen members cross party lines, and they can still pass any bill they want with a 50+ vote majority.  That's pretty damn impressive.

    I don't know if it was intentional or if it changed things, but the democratic opposition prevented a claim of "perfect party-line vote". It seems the media could have eaten that up.  They are still saying partisan but almost exclusively remarking on the 100% GOP opposition. Theoretically that's what the whip is for - make sure the votes are there and figure out who's better off crossing party lines.

    Makes me think republicans need to figure out they can't win and start focusing on which constituencies want reps to vote which ways - and pander their asses off.  Fortunately, they actually seem to be taking cues from Rush.

    I'm still pondering how to deal with to my congrasshole.  I don't see why I should give him the benefit of the doubt. Especially after that "I won't be beholden to the Blue Dogs" letter he sent. He needs a kick in the pants any way it goes.