Time to put Hastert's feet to the fire

I don't normally call my Congressman, bacause I'm fairly certain of how he'll vote on issues, and he's not terribly proactive on other matters. But today, I'm calling him to demand that, when Congress comes back into session, he and others demand a public apology for the Speaker's remarks today (http://www.dailyherald.com/search/searchstory.asp?id=89228) that "it doesn't make sense to rebuild New Orleans". Not only is this a callous comment, given that nobody's determined what would be involved, but its also an incredibly insensitive things to say, adding to the emotional burden of to the resident of New Orleans, who are still struggling to survive.

Why take this step? Beyond the fact that its the right thing to do, consider what happened last year when Trent Lott opened his mouth about Strom Thurmond. Public and political outreach pushed things past the tipping point, and dumped him out of his leadership chair. If enough outrage is generated, perhaps the same thing will happen here.

Now, will it make a difference in Washington? certainly not; the most likely replacement candidate is Tom Delay. But, since Delay is effectively running the House anyway, I think we're better off showing the real face of the House leadership.

nominated and kicked

which is what would happen if Bush and Cheney were removed.

n/t

I'm on some sort of Homeland Security list now.

se if you live in Denny Hastert's district CALL HIM
Ask what he is doing about this disaster

D.C. Office
235 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515

Phone: 202-225-2976
Fax: 202-225-0697

Batavia District Office
27 North River Street
Batavia, IL 60510

Phone: 630-406-1114
Fax: 630-406-1808

Dixon Regional Office
119 W. First Street
Dixon, IL 61021

Phone: 815-288-0680
Fax: 815-288-0743

Office Hours
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday
9 AM – 4 PM

Geneseo Regional Office
137 South State Street, Suite 336
Geneseo, IL 61254

Phone: 309-944-3558

Office Hours
Thursday
9 AM – 3 PM

CNN just reporting that Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (of California which as a reminder is not a Gulf State) has been leading the charge to get Congress back to Washington, DC for an emergency session. Meanwhile, House Speaker Dennis Hastert has resisted, responding that Congress is already scheduled to reconvene next Tuesday and many Congressmen have important work (fund-raising of their own, not for victims) in their districts that can not be dropped on a moment's notice. Bear in mind that Hastert DID bring the House back from vacation for a special session on a Sunday night to address Terri Schiavo's feeding-tube issue.

I've been trying to find the news link on CNN that has this information. So far, no luck. I want to verify this as I find the contrast between how he handled the Schiavo affair with the current disaster very revealing.

Once those levee's broke, I told my wife that New Orleans was gone. It's not gone because of the water or the wind or the fact that they're living in a bowl, they're gone because of the environmental catastrophe that the chemical plants have deposited into the soil. There is no easy way to say this but Hastert is right about New Orleans but not because of the money or the threat from another hurricane. It's gone because anyone who lives there will be drinking everything that has spilled into thier water from this nightmare. Those chemicals are seeping into the ground and the place is now inhabitable.