Because I trust and rely on you, Joe, and because I know YOU understand it all, I read every word of this convoluted mess. Where in the name of God is any leadership? I’m sick with worry for Ukraine and forced to place my hope in a smooth-faced, testicle-free, Louisiana Leprechaun with a Moses complex. Can he slay Orange Godzilla… just this one time before getting shanked by ape woman? I’m not betting $5 on it. So THEN WHAT. This really is so un-funny as to be traumatizing, and I’m 5,400 miles away from Putin’s reach. This cannot be happening in the “mighty” USA. It is a waking nightmare. I’m so ashamed and reviled by my former party.
Would Johnson be nice enough to stop torturing us (and the Ukrainians) over life-saving Ukraine aid? Can't these people tell an emergency when they see one?
If Israel comes under missile attack, seven nations rush to defend. If Ukraine is under missile attack for 2+ years, that's just politics.
Exactly who gets despised more, Jews or Eastern Europeans? I kind of remember that Hitler killed millions of Poles and Ukrainians alongside Jews. They were all regarded as slaves for Hitler's Lebensraum. Some Ukrainians thought Hitler had come to liberate them from Stalin, but they quickly realized they were gravely mistaken.
That penguin story reminds me of the time a bald eagle didn't take to kindly to Donald Trump.The eagle was a pretty good judge of character.Which is more than I can say about American voters.
Or, y’know, they could just do whatever it takes to pass the aid the Senate already approved.
The question Rs can never answer is what actual benefit have they or anyone other than Putin gotten out of all their Grand Guignol and dilatory tactics?
The harms to our allies and our international standing of their inaction over the past 6 months are many and serious. What do they think the countervailing benefits are to justify such harms (other than making s**t up)?
"For example, any Ukraine aid text will have to be palatable to a significant share of the chamber’s Democrats because many Republicans will reject new Ukraine funding out of hand"
The reaction from the New GOP (the "O" used to mean "Old" but now means "Obstructionist") has already been in previews. The House Rs can be pretty much expected to march in lockstep to the demands of Trump [sic], who has made it abundantly clear that he prefers to see Putin win in Ukraine and then, as I said yesterday, the old Domino Theory of USSR expansion will continue unabated, with Poland next on Putin's chopping block -- again with no pushback from TFG if he is reelected [turns head and spits three times between index and middle fingers] and the MAGAdroid army.
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"An open rule would allow for all kinds of items to be tacked on to the aid package; not allowing it could anger many Republicans in the Freedom Caucus and their allies, who might prefer the option of attaching messaging amendments or other baggage that could sap support for the bills."
What the ironically named House Freedom Caucus would tag onto the bill would most certainly tank the legislation for the Dems. One can expect any riders to be onerous to any non-MAGA cultists, ranging from further limitations on a woman's right of choice when it comes to body autonomy, to making gender affirming care for minors strictly forbidden; from rescinding gay rights to placing obstacles in the way of voters of color. There is not one illiberal demand that would not be attached to the legislation -- and even then they'll vote it down.
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"There is no greater sin in the modern GOP than working with Democrats on an issue that’s been roped into the politics of the moment"
"There is no greater sin in the modern GOP than working with Democrats on anything." [FIFY]
-----
"That is in my view, an absurd notion that someone would bring a vacate motion, we are simply here trying to do our jobs."
Mr Johnson, the idea of bringing the motion to vacate is not absurd; it is to be expected. You knew, going in, that the Leopards Eating People's Faces Party is cannibalistic. And, please explain what you mean by doing your jobs. If you mean preventing the House from accomplishing any of the People's business and attempting to turn the US into a third-world country with a tyranny of the minority run by a narcissistic sociopath, then I guess that you *are* doing your jobs. Otherwise, I'm clueless as to what you think being a Congressperson entails.
Being a proud Blue St. Louis resident I think the penguin knew what it was doing. FYI: If you ever get the chance you should visit the St. Louis Zoo. It's been around since 1910 and does some great animal research, management, conservation and education. It's also free although some areas, such as the children's zoo, have a small fee. Parking is also free depending on the day and time you attend. After living in CT for a long time, it's so refreshing not to be charged for everything.
Because I trust and rely on you, Joe, and because I know YOU understand it all, I read every word of this convoluted mess. Where in the name of God is any leadership? I’m sick with worry for Ukraine and forced to place my hope in a smooth-faced, testicle-free, Louisiana Leprechaun with a Moses complex. Can he slay Orange Godzilla… just this one time before getting shanked by ape woman? I’m not betting $5 on it. So THEN WHAT. This really is so un-funny as to be traumatizing, and I’m 5,400 miles away from Putin’s reach. This cannot be happening in the “mighty” USA. It is a waking nightmare. I’m so ashamed and reviled by my former party.
The penguin that bit Gingrich recognized a dangerous creature. Too bad America didn't.
Penguins have long opposed both the NRA and bloviated gas bags.
Would Johnson be nice enough to stop torturing us (and the Ukrainians) over life-saving Ukraine aid? Can't these people tell an emergency when they see one?
If Israel comes under missile attack, seven nations rush to defend. If Ukraine is under missile attack for 2+ years, that's just politics.
Exactly who gets despised more, Jews or Eastern Europeans? I kind of remember that Hitler killed millions of Poles and Ukrainians alongside Jews. They were all regarded as slaves for Hitler's Lebensraum. Some Ukrainians thought Hitler had come to liberate them from Stalin, but they quickly realized they were gravely mistaken.
Great work, Joe. Love your writing.
That penguin story reminds me of the time a bald eagle didn't take to kindly to Donald Trump.The eagle was a pretty good judge of character.Which is more than I can say about American voters.
Or, y’know, they could just do whatever it takes to pass the aid the Senate already approved.
The question Rs can never answer is what actual benefit have they or anyone other than Putin gotten out of all their Grand Guignol and dilatory tactics?
The harms to our allies and our international standing of their inaction over the past 6 months are many and serious. What do they think the countervailing benefits are to justify such harms (other than making s**t up)?
"For example, any Ukraine aid text will have to be palatable to a significant share of the chamber’s Democrats because many Republicans will reject new Ukraine funding out of hand"
The reaction from the New GOP (the "O" used to mean "Old" but now means "Obstructionist") has already been in previews. The House Rs can be pretty much expected to march in lockstep to the demands of Trump [sic], who has made it abundantly clear that he prefers to see Putin win in Ukraine and then, as I said yesterday, the old Domino Theory of USSR expansion will continue unabated, with Poland next on Putin's chopping block -- again with no pushback from TFG if he is reelected [turns head and spits three times between index and middle fingers] and the MAGAdroid army.
-----
"An open rule would allow for all kinds of items to be tacked on to the aid package; not allowing it could anger many Republicans in the Freedom Caucus and their allies, who might prefer the option of attaching messaging amendments or other baggage that could sap support for the bills."
What the ironically named House Freedom Caucus would tag onto the bill would most certainly tank the legislation for the Dems. One can expect any riders to be onerous to any non-MAGA cultists, ranging from further limitations on a woman's right of choice when it comes to body autonomy, to making gender affirming care for minors strictly forbidden; from rescinding gay rights to placing obstacles in the way of voters of color. There is not one illiberal demand that would not be attached to the legislation -- and even then they'll vote it down.
-----
"There is no greater sin in the modern GOP than working with Democrats on an issue that’s been roped into the politics of the moment"
"There is no greater sin in the modern GOP than working with Democrats on anything." [FIFY]
-----
"That is in my view, an absurd notion that someone would bring a vacate motion, we are simply here trying to do our jobs."
Mr Johnson, the idea of bringing the motion to vacate is not absurd; it is to be expected. You knew, going in, that the Leopards Eating People's Faces Party is cannibalistic. And, please explain what you mean by doing your jobs. If you mean preventing the House from accomplishing any of the People's business and attempting to turn the US into a third-world country with a tyranny of the minority run by a narcissistic sociopath, then I guess that you *are* doing your jobs. Otherwise, I'm clueless as to what you think being a Congressperson entails.
fnord
Thank you Joe for reporting the intricate workings going on in congress.We rarely see this reporting on the sausage making in congress elsewhere.
Exceptionally clear exposition of a really murky matter. Love that penguin too. Thanks.
So the Penguin is a good guy after all.
Dear Joe,
If this is so important why I am watching TN Rep. Mark Green reading articles of impeachment on the floor of the Senate? Clearly it is not.
Being a proud Blue St. Louis resident I think the penguin knew what it was doing. FYI: If you ever get the chance you should visit the St. Louis Zoo. It's been around since 1910 and does some great animal research, management, conservation and education. It's also free although some areas, such as the children's zoo, have a small fee. Parking is also free depending on the day and time you attend. After living in CT for a long time, it's so refreshing not to be charged for everything.
I didn’t realize you went to ASU.
Great Work, Joe.
It's time to tell the Freedom
Caucus to go to hell, Mikey
and any of the sane non
Trumpers left in the House.
Penguins are smart. 🤓