Oklahoma

The Filibuster: We're Filibusted

September 17, 2009 by johne

"I don't remember the old-timey filibusters well enough to know whether the majority having to hang around is so. And I don't have time right now to look it up. I just remember: how they had to fill everyone's offices and the cloakroom and all with cots, and how cranky everyone got at having to show up in the chamber in bathrobes."

"AND by all means, lets require the filibusterers ACTUALLY TO DO IT."

In the interests of possibly never hearing or reading any more comments like that, I'm putting up this long essay on what it really means to launch and curtail a filibuster.

Filibusters are governed by Rules XIX and XXII of the Senate. All a filibuster is is a form of obstruction where a Senator (or more than one, theoretically, but you don't see that often) attempts to delay or entirely prevent a vote on a proposal by extending a debate on that proposal.

Sen. Enzi: Please explain why getting beat up by your spouse is a "pre-existing condition"

September 16, 2009 by hummingbirdminds

It turns out that in eight states, plus the District of Columbia, getting beaten up by your spouse is a pre-existing condition.

Under the cold logic of the insurance industry, it makes perfect sense: If you are in a marriage with someone who has beaten you in the past, you're more likely to get beaten again than the average person and are therefore more expensive to insure.

In human terms, it's a second punishment for a victim of domestic violence.

In 2006, Democrats tried to end the practice. An amendment introduced by Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.), now a member of leadership, split the Health Education Labor & Pensions Committee 10-10. The tie meant that the measure failed.

All ten no votes were Republicans, including Sen. Mike Enzi (R-Wyoming), a member of the "Gang of Six" on the Finance Committee who are hashing out a bipartisan bill. A spokesman for Enzi didn't immediately return a call from Huffington Post.

- Oklahoma: lawmakers seek to condemn university for inviting evolutionary biologist Dawkins to speak. http://tinyurl.com/cht3kd

March 31, 2009 by admin

“- Oklahoma: lawmakers seek to condemn university for inviting evolutionary biologist Dawkins to speak. http://tinyurl.com/cht3kd” 2 hours ago - Comment - Like

NON-LOCALIZED, SITE SPECIFIC CUSTOMER SUPPORT should never be exported. I dont want to talk to people in Oklahoma about my NY ph

March 10, 2009 by admin

“NON-LOCALIZED, SITE SPECIFIC CUSTOMER SUPPORT should never be exported. I dont want to talk to people in Oklahoma about my NY phone problem” 40 minutes ago - Comment - Like

- OKlahoma hunting instructor: 'Obama voters to get out of my class!' http://tinyurl.com/cqzcxe (via Twitter)

March 9, 2009 by admin

“- OKlahoma hunting instructor: 'Obama voters to get out of my class!' http://tinyurl.com/cqzcxe” 1 hour ago - Comment - Like