The U.S. Congress Thread

Thanatos

While a certain amount of "lol Republicans" is unavoidable, endeavor to at least stay on the topic of Republicans in Congress. Republicans like Representative Don Young of Alaska, the at-large Representative for the state of Alaska.


http://latino.foxnews.com/latino/politics/2013/03/29/rep-don-young-in-hot-water-for-wetback-comment/

In the interview in Ketchikan, U.S. Rep. Don Young (R-AK) used the term “wetback” when describing the California farm workers who picked tomatoes on his father’s California farm when he was younger.
"I used to own - my father had a ranch. We used to hire 50 to 60 wetbacks to pick tomatoes,” Young said in the interview. “You know it takes two people to pick the same tomatoes now. It's all done by machine."

...

Young’s comments were picked up soon after by bloggers, sparking anger and a quick response from Young’s office. The lawmaker said that he “meant no disrespect” but stopped short of making a full apology.

“During a sit-down interview with Ketchikan Public Radio this week, I used a term that was commonly used during my days growing up on a farm in Central California,” he said, according to the Washington Times. “I know that this term is not used in the same way nowadays, and I meant no disrespect.”

I had to do a triple-take on what year this article is from, because goddamn this is more some 1963 shit than some 2013 shit. In his defense, he is from Alaska, so it's entirely possible he hasn't seen a Latino since 1963.

Retaba

“I know that this term is not used in the same way nowadays, and I meant no disrespect.”

Hasn't that term always been racist?

Chanus

Retaba wrote: »

“I know that this term is not used in the same way nowadays, and I meant no disrespect.”

Hasn't that term always been racist?

Racism is a new thing invented by hippie commie liberals.

AManFromEarth

Retaba wrote: »

“I know that this term is not used in the same way nowadays, and I meant no disrespect.”

Hasn't that term always been racist?

Yes, but racism used to be a lot more acceptable.

KalTorak

The term is used exactly the same way nowadays as it was back then. What's different nowadays is people realizing racism = bad.

edit: or just what AMFE said

Thanatos

And Republicans making the right move, for once, in throwing Young under the bus.

Money shot:

Among the first to criticize Young were House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio), Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus and Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas).

“Congressman Young’s remarks were offensive and beneath the dignity of the office he holds,” Boehner said in a statement. “I don’t care why he said it – there’s no excuse and it warrants an immediate apology.”

SyphonBlue

Thanatos wrote: »

And Republicans making the right move, for once, in throwing Young under the bus.

Money shot:

Among the first to criticize Young were House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio), Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus and Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas).

“Congressman Young’s remarks were offensive and beneath the dignity of the office he holds,” Boehner said in a statement. “I don’t care why he said it – there’s no excuse and it warrants an immediate apology.”

Shorter Boehner: "Godammit, you're not supposed to TALK about it!"

Chanus

I'm not sure it's "doing the right thing" when you're in the context of needing Latino voters in order to not be forever losing elections.

It's kind of "doing the only thing that's not suicide".

Chanus

Basically, fuck Republicans in Congress, I'm not giving them an inch.

DevoutlyApathetic

The fact that he's getting called on it and the recent gay marriage break really makes me hopeful that the coming war for the soul of the party is starting.

Thanatos

Chanus wrote: »

I'm not sure it's "doing the right thing" when you're in the context of needing Latino voters in order to not be forever losing elections.

It's kind of "doing the only thing that's not suicide".

Sorry, I should have used a different word; by "right" I meant "correct," not "morally upstanding."

Chanus

DevoutlyApathetic wrote: »

The fact that he's getting called on it and the recent gay marriage break really makes me hopeful that the coming war for the soul of the party is starting.

It's been going on since the Tea Party came to power.

There's just enough public opinion shifting lately that GOP-Republicans can speak out with less fear of instant primary defeat.

SyphonBlue

DevoutlyApathetic wrote: »

The fact that he's getting called on it and the recent gay marriage break really makes me hopeful that the coming war for the soul of the party is starting.

Nope! Remember, it's all about the messaging. They still believe everything the same way, they're just not supposed to say it out loud now.

Also, one guy coming out for gay marriage because his son came out of the closet three years ago isn't really a "break".

DevoutlyApathetic

Chanus wrote: »

DevoutlyApathetic wrote: »

The fact that he's getting called on it and the recent gay marriage break really makes me hopeful that the coming war for the soul of the party is starting.

It's been going on since the Tea Party came to power.

There's just enough public opinion shifting lately that GOP-Republicans can speak out with less fear of instant primary defeat.

I think they were struggling behind the scenes but these are starting to be public fights over things which is a big no no to the GOP of yore.

Of course, the fight is really going to be if the primary voters are paying attention and sick of crazy (probably not.)

Thanatos

DevoutlyApathetic wrote: »

Chanus wrote: »

DevoutlyApathetic wrote: »

The fact that he's getting called on it and the recent gay marriage break really makes me hopeful that the coming war for the soul of the party is starting.

It's been going on since the Tea Party came to power.

There's just enough public opinion shifting lately that GOP-Republicans can speak out with less fear of instant primary defeat.

I think they were struggling behind the scenes but these are starting to be public fights over things which is a big no no to the GOP of yore.

Of course, the fight is really going to be if the primary voters are paying attention and sick of crazy (probably not.)

I'm hoping there's still enough crazy left in 2014 that we don't get beat down too badly.

Viskod

So apparently in HR933, there was a rider that basically says a federal court can not stop the planting or sale of a GMO or GE food if any adverse side effects from its consumption should ever come to be known at any point in time. It's being called the Monsanto Protection Act.

Hamurabi

For anyone else who, like me, didn't know about this until this afternoon: http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2013/03/28/south-carolina-republicans-distance-themselves-from-todd-kincannon.html

Chanus

Yeah, Todd Kincannon is a giant dickbag.

Viskod

That is one of the most honest politicians I've ever seen.

Preacher

Again Iraq war vets, this is the party that sent you to war and this is how they feel about you.

Thanatos

Kincannon really isn't in Congress, and I'd like to avoid this becoming "lol Republicans," guys.

Bob Barr is apparently going to run for Congress again.

Preacher

Wow so a real winner, but remember its just the way they say a dead gun victim would be a male prostitute, not the actual message.

Chanus

Thanatos wrote: »

Kincannon really isn't in Congress, and I'd like to avoid this becoming "lol Republicans," guys.

Bob Barr is apparently going to run for Congress again.

Alternately, concerning South Carolinian Congressional Hopefuls, Mark Sanford is hoping to make a comeback.

We may recall he was the governor who was fucking his mistress in Argentina on the taxpayer's dime a couple years ago.

Preacher

Yeah Santorum is backing the GOP challenger to Sanford. In that same race they are going up against Stephen Colbert's sister, currently leading both in the polls but its closer for Sanford.

Also Ed Markey the guy vying to take over John Kerry's senate seat got Al Gore attacked by the GOP.

SyphonBlue

Chanus wrote: »

Thanatos wrote: »

Kincannon really isn't in Congress, and I'd like to avoid this becoming "lol Republicans," guys.

Bob Barr is apparently going to run for Congress again.

Alternately, concerning South Carolinian Congressional Hopefuls, Mark Sanford is hoping to make a comeback.

We may recall he was the governor who was fucking his mistress in Argentina on the taxpayer's dime a couple years ago.

Not JUST the governor who was fucking his mistress in Argentina on the taxpayer's dime

the governor who was fucking his mistress in Argentina on the taxpayer's dime while lying to the media that he was hiking the Appalachian Trail and nobody on his staff even knew where he was

Gaddez

SyphonBlue wrote: »

Chanus wrote: »

Thanatos wrote: »

Kincannon really isn't in Congress, and I'd like to avoid this becoming "lol Republicans," guys.

Bob Barr is apparently going to run for Congress again.

Alternately, concerning South Carolinian Congressional Hopefuls, Mark Sanford is hoping to make a comeback.

We may recall he was the governor who was fucking his mistress in Argentina on the taxpayer's dime a couple years ago.

Not JUST the governor who was fucking his mistress in Argentina on the taxpayer's dime

the governor who was fucking his mistress in Argentina on the taxpayer's dime while lying to the media that he was hiking the Appalachian Trail and nobody on his staff even knew where he was

You forgot the part about how he did it on father's day weekend.

Chanus

Clearly this guy is Pro Tier. Elect him now.

Preacher

The sad thing is he does stand a good chance of getting elected, as he was previously elected for that very seat.

SyphonBlue

Chanus wrote: »

Clearly this guy is Pro Tier. Elect him now.

he stands a very good chance of being elected because he is running against a democrat in South Carolina

Chanus

Yeah, I know.

I try not to think about it too much.

Preacher

Need we also forget champion of marriage former speaker of the house Newt Gingrich.

Chanus

Look, man, he just loved America too much.

Preacher

But remember Anthony Weiner sending a pic of his large dick in tight underware to a woman that is not his wife was the ultimate sin. Cheating on your wife with hookers like David Vitter, or getting beej's from your staffers wives like Gingrich? Real americans!

Salvation122

Gaddez wrote: »

SyphonBlue wrote: »

Chanus wrote: »

Thanatos wrote: »

Kincannon really isn't in Congress, and I'd like to avoid this becoming "lol Republicans," guys.

Bob Barr is apparently going to run for Congress again.

Alternately, concerning South Carolinian Congressional Hopefuls, Mark Sanford is hoping to make a comeback.

We may recall he was the governor who was fucking his mistress in Argentina on the taxpayer's dime a couple years ago.

Not JUST the governor who was fucking his mistress in Argentina on the taxpayer's dime

the governor who was fucking his mistress in Argentina on the taxpayer's dime while lying to the media that he was hiking the Appalachian Trail and nobody on his staff even knew where he was

You forgot the part about how he did it on father's day weekend.

"The first thing we need to do is acknowledge that this guy is a badass."

SyphonBlue

Preacher wrote: »

But remember Anthony Weiner sending a pic of his large dick in tight underware to a woman that is not his wife was the ultimate sin. Cheating on your wife with hookers like David Vitter, or getting beej's from your staffers wives like Gingrich? Real americans!

IOKIYAR

Preacher

Salvation122 wrote: »

Gaddez wrote: »

SyphonBlue wrote: »

Chanus wrote: »

Thanatos wrote: »

Kincannon really isn't in Congress, and I'd like to avoid this becoming "lol Republicans," guys.

Bob Barr is apparently going to run for Congress again.

Alternately, concerning South Carolinian Congressional Hopefuls, Mark Sanford is hoping to make a comeback.

We may recall he was the governor who was fucking his mistress in Argentina on the taxpayer's dime a couple years ago.

Not JUST the governor who was fucking his mistress in Argentina on the taxpayer's dime

the governor who was fucking his mistress in Argentina on the taxpayer's dime while lying to the media that he was hiking the Appalachian Trail and nobody on his staff even knew where he was

You forgot the part about how he did it on father's day weekend.

"The first thing we need to do is acknowledge that this guy is a badass."

Man do not compare Sanford to Drew Thompson, Thompson was bad ass. Sanford was just a sleazy clown banging a woman in Argentina.

Salvation122

Preacher wrote: »

Salvation122 wrote: »

Gaddez wrote: »

SyphonBlue wrote: »

Chanus wrote: »

Thanatos wrote: »

Kincannon really isn't in Congress, and I'd like to avoid this becoming "lol Republicans," guys.

Bob Barr is apparently going to run for Congress again.

Alternately, concerning South Carolinian Congressional Hopefuls, Mark Sanford is hoping to make a comeback.

We may recall he was the governor who was fucking his mistress in Argentina on the taxpayer's dime a couple years ago.

Not JUST the governor who was fucking his mistress in Argentina on the taxpayer's dime

the governor who was fucking his mistress in Argentina on the taxpayer's dime while lying to the media that he was hiking the Appalachian Trail and nobody on his staff even knew where he was

You forgot the part about how he did it on father's day weekend.

"The first thing we need to do is acknowledge that this guy is a badass."

Man do not compare Sanford to Drew Thompson, Thompson was bad ass. Sanford was just a sleazy clown banging a woman in Argentina.

I mean, you do kind of have to admire the stones on the guy

Preacher

Not really plenty of dudes cheat on their wives and give lame stories for why they did it. I mean you want to talk about stones it would be Gingrich leading the charge against Clinton while he was cheating on wife number 2 with wife number 3.

Hamurabi

Thanatos wrote: »

Kincannon really isn't in Congress, and I'd like to avoid this becoming "lol Republicans," guys.

Bob Barr is apparently going to run for Congress again.

My bad. I just saw it on my Facebook feed and thought it was the single most surprising turn of events in the history of politics, ever EVER. :P

Buttcleft

Preacher wrote: »

Not really plenty of dudes cheat on their wives and give lame stories for why they did it. I mean you want to talk about stones it would be Gingrich leading the charge against Clinton while he was cheating on wife number 2 with wife number 3.

Wasn't wife number 2 dying, while he was having a tryst with number 3?

Or was it Wife number 1 dying while he had a tryst with number 2?

Chanus

I think only one wife was dying.