By their lack of deeds, Ye shall know them.

As many of you might well know, I tend to avoid this forum. I have had enough full-contact action in real life, so the action around here generally does not interest me. It tends towards "How many angels can dance on the head of a pin" or "Do the Saints defecate?" in general tone and timbre. Besides, I have been busier than a one-legged man in an ass-kickin' contest, of late, so I have to pick and choose my fights and my choices of diversions. Lately, sleep has been my one real luxury.

You may also notice that I have not "come out" for a specific candidate. Well, that is the way I was raised. My parents came from a different era and raised me that way. Besides, to this point, as regards the major Democratic candidates, I felt we were enjoying an embarassment of riches. Sure, there were some I liked more than others, but I was hoping that more would run longer, so their messages and positions would be annealed, forged on the anvil of the campaign.

This is about one such message. But it was not a campaign message, it was not released in conjunction with a campaign and will most likely be down the memory hole by next week, superceded by earth tones or some equally gravitational event.

I speak of Hillary Clinton and her non-attendance at the Senate FISA vote, specifically, the fact that she was "missing in action" when it came time to vote on telecom immunity.

On this point, she is dead to me. Done. A Norwegian Blue Parrot laying on the bottom of the political cage. That's it, lady. You're outta here.

The way I see it, the primary job of senators and congresspersons is to represent the people of the United States. All the people. To strive for a balance that stops things like plutocracies, tyrannies of majorities, the formation of special classes that are above the law and to protect the rights of the common citizen with a ferocity and bloodthirstiness that is awesome to see.

In that, Mrs. Clinton has failed miserably. Notice I use the title "Mrs.", as opposed to the title "Senator". I personally feel that she has, today, abrogated her responsibilities as a sitting US Senator, as regards making her voice heard on such a crucial and vital moment in the history of this nation. She just could not be arsed.

Now, I am sure that some will leap to her defense with cries of "But the margin! Her vote would not have counted, really. No, really!". Don't even attempt that argument. Don't go there. Don't think of even typing those words and showing yourself a fool and a shill for all the world to see. DU is the place where the mantra is "Always Vote. Every vote counts. Use your right and responsibility or shut up.".

Mrs. Clinton could not be arsed to vote, to make her voice heard on our behalf. I repeat: She could not be bothered to be there. Note: This was not a "Sense of the Senate" bullshit exercise. She could have been there, making her vote heard on our behalf and whipping some of the Dem apostates to shift their vote. After all, she has a little influence, influence she could have brought to bear. Apparently, ambition trumps responsibility for her.

I now know everything I need to know about Mrs. Clinton. I do not like what I know. I have no interest in knowing one bit more.

thinking? "Ambition trumps responsibility" seems to be the case. Did she think no one would notice?

need to get back for the vote as a campaign opportunity.

It must be incredibly difficult to be pulled in a million directions- but if I was working for her, I would have pushed to find a way for her to have maximized her need to vote, with the tyranny of campaigning- It would be free advertising, and demonstrate her commitment to the responsibilites of being an elected offical.

:shrug:

peace~

Were any about so fundimental a point of governance and constitutional issues? Were any about creating a special class, a class above the law?

I think not. Besides, you are using a Tu Quoque argument, and quite frankly, such arguments are merely sad. I don't waste much time on them. They are the last refuge of an argumentor who has nowhere left to turn.

More Tu Quoque. This stands alone. Later.

is that what you mean?

How does that relate to the OP about Hillary?

My senators showed up, one voted yes, one voted no.

The main reason I was originally a Dodd supporter was his determination to restore the Constitution. I can see that's one more thing that has been taken off the table for many of our "representatives".

Well-written, thoughtful, and pretty much iron-clad.

It's not a happy thing when Dem politicians become so difficult to defend, let alone stand beside.

It's not a particularly happy time.

I can't find much light between the two but this act (or non-act) is telling.

voted with her friend, Senator Even Bayh -- against all the Dem amendments.

Barack Obama has missed over one-third of his votes this (110th) Congress; Hillary has missed roughly one-quarter.

Several websites compile the stats. http://projects.washingtonpost.com/congress/110/senate/vote-missers/">Here`s WaPo`s.

--p!

Look up the definition of "Tu Quoque" and you will understand my utter scorn for it. It is one step above "neenerneenerneener". I kinda expect better around here.

And please: Show me where I specifically spoke out for any other candidate here?

Mrs. Clinton's responsibility for her INACTIONS, both in the vote and on the floor of the senate, today, are hers and have no bearing on any other votes by any other politicians. This is a stand-alone issue.

This is critical stuff for the nation, not a three-card monte game. I knew what exactly I would be getting for a response from some people, if I posted this piece. I have not been disappointed.

Note the title of the forum: General Discussion: Primaries. By posting in here, you assume that any response you get will be partisan. The kitchen sink has already been thrown at Hillary; did you know she had an affair with Vince Foster then had the Yakuza kill him to cover up her complicity in the BCCI trade agreement with the space aliens?

To stay above the stench of the rabble, General Discussion is probably where you want to be. But you wanted a piece of Hillary's ass. So you came here.

Looking at the votes as stand-alones, you will find a large number of embarrassing misses for Obama as well as for Hillary. Not exactly "three-card Monte" -- significant votes like SCHIP, Kyl-Lieberman, and a number of Iraq War funding and supplementary defense votes for the war. The Post article provides links to most of their political record compilations.

Yes, some of those votes are actually important. After all, it is the US Senate.

If you want to exercise your skill in identifying rhetorical tropes by their Latin names, this is the place. But since you never come here, you have no context, only your wrath for one candidate over one vote. We plebians appreciate your wise counsel, but this vote has already spawned considerable outrage, much of it opportunistic. So if you are seeking a detailed exegesis of the issues, you are in the WRONG place.

Your outrage has been noted. I'll add it to Great Outrages, Lectures, and Scoldings of 2008. It's already a long list.

--p!

Nor will I take it anywhere you suggest. Period.

You and others seem to feel that your voices may be heard, but me? Shut up. That's what you are saying, part and parcel.

May I suggest a large muscle group, for immediate osculation?

Where did people like you come from?

If she gets the nod, make sure the Pukes give you some credit for it.

If you've been browsing the forum and this is the only thing that prompted you to speak up, that is telling in itself.

If we do not hold our Democratic politicians wholly responsible for their actions or inactions, then we will get more like today and worse. Far worse. Campaign time is a time like no other to use our voices, both collectively and individually. Should I still my voice when accountability is called for? Should I rip out my tongue to silence what small voice I might have, in fear of giving the pukes a talking point?

You, whomever you are, I have no one on ignore and I do not want one. So please, never address me on this board again. I will not be silent in the face of an objective wrong, especially by one who is supposed to be on our side. So leave me alone. You and I have nothing to discuss, apparently.

Since the motion would have carried even had she voted against it, I do think it was okay for her to skip it for another important issue.

To the DU I once knew? Whither DU? Whither?

unfortunately DU this is what has become of DU, there are those who wants to be heard,
and those who don't want to hear anyone else but their own voices, so they put the
rest on iggy.

WELCOME TO THE NEW AND IMPROVE DU!

I must admit, there are times when I've scream at the amount of
stupidity that have graced us, that it ends up rubbing off on me.

Good to hear from you., once again.



:thumbsup: