Patterico's Pontifications

3/22/2018

BREAKING: Senate Passes Budget-Busting Omnibus Bill

Filed under: General — Patterico @ 10:06 pm



Moments ago, the monstrosity passed:

The Senate has passed a massive “omnibus” spending package that will fund the government and avert a looming government shutdown. The legislation, which narrowly passed the House on Thursday, spends $1.3 trillion to keep the government open through the end of September.

It passed the Senate[] with 65 yeas to 32 nays.

I don’t understand how this could have happened! Here’s what’s so confusing: GOP Senators seemed lined up against it. Why, Ted Cruz announced that he will oppose the omnibus bill, and offered several compelling reasons why:

U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) today issued the following statement announcing his intention to vote against the omnibus spending bill:

“In 2016, the American people voted overwhelmingly for Republicans to change Washington. Now, Congress is poised to do the exact opposite: pass a massive $1.3 trillion spending bill — 2200 pages drafted by the Swamp in the dark of night — that will plunge our nation even deeper into debt.

“The disastrous elements of this bill are almost too numerous to list.

“It continues to fund Planned Parenthood, a corrupt organization whose horrifying abortion practices should preclude it from receiving taxpayer dollars.

“It continues to fund sanctuary cities, which are defying the law and making Americans less safe. Instead of rewarding sanctuary cities, we should be passing legislation like Kate’s Law, a bill I introduced that would put criminal illegal aliens in jail so they cannot prey on innocent Americans.

“It fails to provide sufficient funds to properly secure our border, let alone build the wall that is necessary.

“It tells federal agencies that they can spend taxpayer dollars to study the ‘causes’ of gun violence, a mandate that – make no mistake – will be abused by future liberal administrations to manufacture evidence to try to violate law-abiding citizens’ Second Amendment rights.

“It funds the Ex-Im Bank, a classic example of corporate welfare that has doled out over $100 billion in taxpayer-guaranteed loans, primarily to a handful of giant and well-connected corporations.

“It fails to reduce funding for the EPA, which under Obama administration zealots, killed thousands of jobs and dramatically strayed from its core mission of ensuring clean air and water.

“All of these measures amount to piling even greater debt onto the backs of our kids and grandkids, all because we are incapable of living within our means.

Nicely said. Did Cruz stand alone? No. Mike Lee also said he would be voting against the bill.

Rand Paul considered holding up the bill but backed down, allowing a vote to take place. But he said he was voting no:

And CNN says Joni Ernst came out against it. And Jeff Flake (still a Senator!) said he opposed it:

Such an amazing amount of political courage was being shown. It seemed so reassuring, because we are all used to Republicans standing up only when their votes don’t matter. But here, of course, the GOP didn’t have a big enough majority to survive so many defections. It looked like we were voting this thing down. Hooray!

Of course, it never actually looked that way at all. I’m just funnin’ ya. What’s the gag?

Well, you see, a bunch of Democrats also supported this thing.

That’s right. Leadership got into bed with Chuckie Schumer, who is thrilled. And our fight-the-swamp President will sign it.

All of which means, the above Republicans could vociferously denounce it without, you know, feeling the heat of actually rejecting it.

I’m . . . sure they would have stood strong even if they actually could have defeated it, right? I mean, it’s not like this party has a history of meaningless show votes, right? *cough* Obamacare *cough*

[Patterico hangs his head and takes a few steps towards stage left. He stops, as if to say something else, but thinks better of it. He shakes his head sadly and trudges off out of sight.]

[Cross-posted at RedState and The Jury Talks Back.]

183 Responses to “BREAKING: Senate Passes Budget-Busting Omnibus Bill”

  1. Oh good grief, you are still taking Jeff flake seriously, and you winder why robertscare couldn’t be repealed?

    narciso (d1f714)

  2. it’s really just pitiful how Jeff Flake’s become this sad perverted passive aggressive beta-boi twitter-b!tch

    he should stay home and focus on getting his racist family the help they need

    happyfeet (28a91b)

  3. From The Hill:

    Under Senate rules, any one member could have delayed an initial vote until early Saturday morning, roughly an hour after the funding deadline.

    Paul kept his colleagues in the dark throughout Thursday, before telling reporters after 11 p.m. that he would let the bill go through.

    “You know my opposition to the bill still remains strong … [but] I just don’t have enough votes to win,” he said. “It’s about trying to determine how we can best get our message across.”

    As Paul was speaking to reporters, Sen. Kamala Harris (D-Calif.) came up behind him and appeared to jokingly make a choking motion as she walked by.

    That’s our next President clowning on Senator Paul, my friends. And she will be taking the oath of office in January 2021, thanks largely to this festering pile of horsecrap that the GOP has dumped upon us.

    JVW (42615e)

  4. looks like it’s veto proof

    (at least it would be if pentagon-piggy-slopping coward-ass war hero John McCain were inspired enough to actually go to washington and do his goddamn job once in awhile)

    happyfeet (28a91b)

  5. Oh good grief, you are still taking Jeff flake seriously, and you winder why robertscare couldn’t be repealed?

    If it seems like I am taking any of these people seriously then I obviously failed to convey my meaning. Or you just missed it. Or both.

    Patterico (af8e88)

  6. Oh God, it just gets worse according to another analysis in The Hill. All you Trump fans, get a load of this:

    President Trump had hoped to win $25 billion to build a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border.

    Instead, he won just $1.6 billion for a physical barrier, including $641 million for new border fencing. The funding would only be used for levees and fences, not a concrete wall.

    It was enough for Trump to declare victory in a tweet, but it’s far short of his demands.

    So the $1.6 billion for the wall isn’t even for a, you know, wall.

    Aside from the blockage of Obamacare insurance bailouts, the only real substantive victory for the GOP is that Dems didn’t force them to cave on DACA. That will come in the early fall, just before the 2018 election.

    JVW (42615e)

  7. Starting to like John Kennedy — the one from Louisiana, not the one who raped White House interns at the swimming pool:

    “This is an embarrassment to every taxpayer in America,” Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) told reporters. “This is a great dane-size whizz down the leg of every taxpayer in America.”

    “Everybody who participates in this process oughta put a bag on their head,” he added.

    A great dane-size whizz down the leg of every taxpayer in America. Perfect.

    JVW (42615e)

  8. So the $1.6 billion for the wall isn’t even for a, you know, wall.

    Relax, Mexico’s gonna come through for us. President Trump promised they would!

    Dave (445e97)

  9. again though to be clear it’s the punk-ass us military that’s doing the heavy lifting part of raping the treasury

    happyfeet (28a91b)

  10. Sorry to be dominating this comments section, but here are the Democrats who voted against the bill:

    Corey Booker – NJ
    Diane Feinstein – CA
    Kristin Gillibrand – NY
    Kamala Harris – CA
    Ed Markey – MA
    Claire McCaskill – MO
    Jeff Merkley – OR
    *Bernard Sanders – VT (* yeah, I know he’s officially an independent)
    Wahoo Warren – MA

    How about that? Pretty much everyone who wants to run for President in 2020, along with Feinstein who needs to mend fences with California’s far left in order to win reelection, McCaskill who must have a parochial reason related to her reelection, and left-wing cranks like Markey, Merkley, and Sanders. Interesting.

    JVW (42615e)

  11. nothing harvardtrash ted specifically whines about above would move the dial on spending

    happyfeet (28a91b)

  12. OT but for the lawyer-readers and otherwise inclined, I recommend that you try to view, in its entirety, Anderson Cooper’s extensive interview of Karen McDougal tonight. I’m sorry, I don’t have a link yet, but perhaps by tomorrow there will be one on the CNN website or elsewhere. The reason I commend the interview to this audience is:

    This was less of a news interview than an extremely skillful and well-constructed direct examination of a very well prepared, articulate witness.

    Especially in the first two-thirds, Cooper stuck to very short, simple, open-ended questions that didn’t use inflammatory words. He almost achieved the epitome of what a good direct examination questioner should strive for — utterly disappearing himself, leaving the observer completely focused on the witness, guiding her by no more than the careful selection of those same short, simple, open-ended questions. It is nearly a lost art even in courtrooms, and exceptionally rare on TV, especially on CNN.

    What the broadcast lacked, however — what the broadcast will leave the student of persuasive advocacy through Q&A wondering about — was any cross-examination. Such students will perhaps spot fertile ground for same despite the very polished performances by both interlocutor Cooper and Ms. McDougal — which is to say, it would be a fun but challenging cross-examination to plan and execute, but one I wish I had the opportunity to undertake.

    Beldar (fa637a)

  13. (One wishes one could also see what was left on the editing-room floor from that video, by the way — it’s clearly been edited, but how extensively is impossible to tell (and yes, that’s why when you see legal videographers’ videotapes of deposition testimony, they typically have that embedded date & timestamp graphic).

    Beldar (fa637a)

  14. Beldar, I thought one goal of questioning a (friendly) witness was to get them to give short, focused answers rather than volunteering additional information that might provide openings to other side (I remember when you said you watched Trump testifying and he was a terrible witness because he rambled all over the place).

    My point being, open-ended questions are probably a good idea in a TV interview with an articulate and interesting subject, but is it really what you want in court?

    Dave (445e97)

  15. Beldar, wouldn’t it be great if there is a rated R version that will be released to late-night HBO soon?

    JVW (42615e)

  16. Be patient, JVW. Stormy may use some visual aids in her upcoming 60 Minutes appearance…

    Dave (445e97)

  17. I draw the line at a hard-R, Dave.

    JVW (42615e)

  18. RIP “Bozo” the clown. Frank Avunch 89 years old.

    papertiger (c8116c)

  19. Interestingly, Bozo was not syndicated but a franchise, meaning lots of different TV stations bought the rights to produce their own Bozo shows. Avunch played Bozo in Boston, but there were dozens of others.

    Dave (445e97)

  20. Patterico–

    You are missing your chance. There is an incredible opportunity to start a second major party in California, as the GOP is down for the count. Perhaps one that cares a lot about balanced budgets and federalism and not so much about who’s in whose bed.

    CA’s rules for starting parties are trivially easy, and getting party candidates on a ballot is LOADS easier than getting an independent on.

    Kevin M (752a26)

  21. So the $1.6 billion for the wall isn’t even for a, you know, wall.

    JVW (42615e) — 3/22/2018 @ 10:49 pm

    That buys a lot of lawnmowers.

    Pinandpuller (07c360)

  22. (One wishes one could also see what was left on the editing-room floor from that video, by the way — it’s clearly been edited, but how extensively is impossible to tell (and yes, that’s why when you see legal videographers’ videotapes of deposition testimony, they typically have that embedded date & timestamp graphic).

    Beldar (fa637a) — 3/22/2018 @ 11:24 pm

    Did they digitally eliminate the peanut butter from her mouth?

    Pinandpuller (07c360)

  23. Beldar, wouldn’t it be great if there is a rated R version that will be released to late-night HBO soon?

    JVW (42615e) — 3/22/2018 @ 11:27 pm

    They shoot with two cameras like Tommy Wiseau.

    Pinandpuller (07c360)

  24. RIP “Bozo” the clown. Frank Avunch 89 years old.

    papertiger (c8116c) — 3/23/2018 @ 12:02 am

    What’s “A Good Start”, Alex?

    Pinandpuller (07c360)

  25. Meanwhile, the chance of North Korea keeping its nukes diminishes with the hiring of John Bolton.

    And, there is this short piece from 1999, where Donald Trump quite clearly explains his feelings about the Norks:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sQUaQo2j42Y

    Kevin M (752a26)

  26. $1.3 trillion for six months? That’s ~$4,000 per person (residing in the United States). What the hell are we getting for that?

    nk (dbc370)

  27. And I agree with happyfeet about the military. We are spending way too much on those McDonald’s rejects.

    Can you tell me why a corporal’s base pay is more than the stipend of a teaching/research assistant with an MS degree? Or why there should be a K-12 school at the Guantanamo Naval Base?

    nk (dbc370)

  28. Or why there should be a K-12 school at the Guantanamo Naval Base?

    I can’t tell if you’re being sarcastic or serious, nk (don’t take that as an insult, I’m just particularly obtuse this morning). But I would guess that the K-12 school is there for the children of servicemen stationed at Guantanamo.

    Chuck Bartowski (7ba363)

  29. When flake actually had a chance to affect change, he flaked,

    Meanwhile the price of living in a cosmopolitan city, in trebes

    narciso (d1f714)

  30. That is my guess too, Chuck. Why should the taxpayers be paying for the families of servicemen to be raised on military bases? Moreover, isn’t there a “human shields” law of war about that?

    nk (dbc370)

  31. She reads a good script, and is more presentable than coopers other get, but where is the evidence.

    narciso (d1f714)

  32. Washington Examiner:

    Democratic leaders celebrate budget bill: ‘We’re able to accomplish more in the minority’

    DRJ (15874d)

  33. Trump backed the bill on Wednesday, before the vote, but Trump supporters will blame:

    A. Ryan.

    B. NeverTrump.

    C. Anyone but Trump.

    DRJ (15874d)

  34. I should add:

    D. Conservatives.

    DRJ (15874d)

  35. Can you tell me why a corporal’s base pay is more than the stipend of a teaching/research assistant with an MS degree? Or why there should be a K-12 school at the Guantanamo Naval Base?

    What a wonderfully clear demonstration of credentialism.

    db (9e7f9d)

  36. We are spending way too much on those McDonald’s rejects.
    nk (dbc370) — 3/23/2018 @ 5:39 am


    You have now reached optimum leftist infusion, nk. Now that you disrespectfully call the people who serve our country, yours and mine, “McDonalds rejects” you are qualified to march with both BLM and antifa. Congratulations comrade nk for your fine service to leftist, anti American causes. Then you immediately double-down with this gem of patriotism: ” Why should the taxpayers be paying for the families of servicemen to be raised on military bases?”. Why indeed. How about we stop paying for families of welfare recipients and non citizens to be “raised” by the taxpayers also. Oh, wait! Servicemen are actually taxpayers are they not? Then I guess their families would also be able to avail themselves of the K-12 education we all pay for.

    See what happens to neverTrumpers? They eventually become leftists because they side with leftists. As Robert Conquest’s second law states: Any organization not explicitly and constitutionally right-wing will sooner or later become left-wing. I guess that applies to individuals also.

    Rev.Hoagie (1b0402)

  37. he’s being facetious Mr. Reverend not serious he doesn’t really think our tatters were rejected by McDonald’s

    nobody thinks that actually

    happyfeet (28a91b)

  38. 35.Can you tell me why a corporal’s base pay is more than the stipend of a teaching/research assistant with an MS degree?


    I would suggest the law of supply and demand. But can you explain why a celebrity like that pinko George Clooney gets $20 million a movie and a doctor makes $500k a year, or your trash man gets $70k a year? Those two are more necessary to our lives than Clooney will ever be.

    Rev.Hoagie (1b0402)

  39. Actually happyfeet, I think our military spending is ridiculous and needs serious overhauling but I don’t degrade our troops, or their families.

    Rev.Hoagie (1b0402)

  40. To me right-wing is synonymous with military dictatorship, so Robert Conquest can stick it.

    nk (dbc370)

  41. Yes the fellow who uncovered the holomodor, in sure the eas/eam woyldnt have pulled a similar trick.

    narciso (d1f714)

  42. I agree that workers, and that includes soldiers, have the right to set the price of their labor. But your George Clooney example illustrates that consumers can be silly when they agree to pay it. And that includes soldiers as well as Hollywood clowns.

    nk (dbc370)

  43. 34.I should add:

    D. Conservatives.
    DRJ (15874d) — 3/23/2018 @ 6:22 am


    No you shouldn’t add conservatives, DRJ since conservatives did not vote for the bill. I’m against the bill and I’m about as conservative as one can get. I even sent multiple emails to the WH voicing that and voicing as a Republican I was confused as to why Chuck Schumer and Nazi Pelosi were “happy” with a Republican bill. If it were truly Republican they would be denouncing it on CNN 24/7 between Stormy stories.

    Rev.Hoagie (1b0402)

  44. 40.To me right-wing is synonymous with military dictatorship, so Robert Conquest can stick it.
    nk (dbc370) — 3/23/2018 @ 6:34 am


    I’m right-wing do I sound like I’m for military dictatorship? Right-wing in America today means decisively NOT socialist or communist. Just as left-wing means radical socialist/communist with fascistic tendencies. No real American is for dictatorship of any kind. Or has that been lost in the contemporary cultural fog also?

    Rev.Hoagie (1b0402)

  45. That is my guess too, Chuck. Why should the taxpayers be paying for the families of servicemen to be raised on military bases?

    Taxpayers would be paying for their education if they were here in the US. Why shouldn’t the children of servicemen stationed overseas get the same benefit as children here?

    Chuck Bartowski (7ba363)

  46. So when tom tills teamed up with kane, on the h2b expansion, where is the attention there.

    narciso (d1f714)

  47. there’s no serious and credible reform of the spending proposal on the table that would not see a significant reduction in the amount of money this bill allocates to the troughs and rice bowls of the us military

    Ted Cruz won’t tell you that i just did

    happyfeet (28a91b)

  48. We are spending way too much on those McDonald’s rejects.

    Fortunately, most people are disgusted by the likes of you and Salcido.

    https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/education/wp/2018/03/21/the-military-is-lowest-of-our-low-a-teacher-told-his-students-he-was-just-fired/?utm_term=.cd37f935ef98

    Lenny (5ea732)

  49. 42.I agree that workers, and that includes soldiers, have the right to set the price of their labor.


    Again nk, your leftist creds are showing. If by “workers” you mean the proletariat have a “right” to set the price of their labor you are stating an illusion. They can “set” the price at whatever they want indeed but the market will determine what they will actually be paid. A corporal is currently paid $2,088 per month. Hardly a king’s ransom, nk. BTW, there is a world of difference between a “worker” and a soldier. You should keep that in mind.

    Rev.Hoagie (1b0402)

  50. Chuck, more than the money (on that I’m almost joking), I really don’t like the idea of the military being its own community. I want citizen soldiers whose roots remain in the civilian culture, which they leave temporarily to serve in the armed forces but then return to.

    nk (dbc370)

  51. Who do you blame for this, Hoagie?

    DRJ (15874d)

  52. it’s interesting how gloriously fact-free this report on “emissions” from an unnamed reuters propaganda slut is

    Global energy-related carbon emissions rose to a historic high of 32.5 gigatons last year… due to higher energy demand and the slowing of energy efficiency improvements

    where is this demand growth happening?

    what regions?

    what economic sectors?

    what percentage of growth is attributable to this demand growth and what can be attributed to “the slowing of energy efficiency improvements”

    not unlike useless cowardpig John McCain who hangs out in his pajamas all day, it looks this Reuters propaganda slut just isn’t up to the job huh

    happyfeet (28a91b)

  53. Mr. nk shares a wise and perspicacious thinking at comment #50

    Chuck, more than the money (on that I’m almost joking), I really don’t like the idea of the military being its own community. I want citizen soldiers whose roots remain in the civilian culture, which they leave temporarily to serve in the armed forces but then return to.

    happyfeet (28a91b)

  54. You have to go the source, pikachu, and you’ll find some interesting surprises:
    https://www.iea.org/geco/emissions/

    narciso (d1f714)

  55. The trend of growing emissions, however, was not universal. While most major economies saw a rise in carbon emissions, some others experienced declines, such as the United States, the United Kingdom, Mexico and Japan.

    OH MY GOODNESS SO THE COUNTRY WHAT RIPPED UP THE PARIS AGREEMENT IS DOING DECLINES ON THE EMISSIONS WHILE THE COUNTRIES THAT SIGNED ON ARE EMITTING RECORD AMOUNTS FULL SPEED AHEAD???!???

    why didn’t the reuters propaganda slut tell us this?

    happyfeet (28a91b)

  56. BTW, there is a world of difference between a “worker” and a soldier.

    That’s true. They don’t even cook their own food, clean their barracks and maintain the grounds, or do their own laundry, anymore. They have civilian contractors to do that. They’ve even gotten civilian contractors to do the fighting in some instances, isn’t that right?

    nk (dbc370)

  57. The biggest decline came from the United States, where emissions dropped by 0.5%, or 25 Mt, to 4 810 Mt of CO2, marking the third consecutive year of decline.

    OH MY GOODNESS WE’RE DOING LESS ON THE EMISSIONS EVEN AS PRESIDENT TRUMP DOES ECONOMIC GROWTH ALL UP IN IT???

    this is unpossible!

    happyfeet (28a91b)

  58. we need a lot more bots in the military and a whole lot less trannies

    there’s no good reason for the military to consume as much human capital as it does and the nations what are first movers on this will reap extraordinary advantages

    happyfeet (28a91b)

  59. Yes we’ve reduced the support force,

    narciso (d1f714)

  60. Does anyone here think Trump means his last-minute veto threat, after he supported the Omnibus bill for two days during the most important time period — the final negotiations and the vote?

    Isn’t this typical Trump, letting him take responsibility when he thinks it will help him but avoid responsibility when he thinks it won’t? Now he will say it wasn’t his bill so don’t blame him, and his supporters will believe that.

    DRJ (15874d)

  61. I hope Trump does veto this omnibus bill, for whatever reason. Not only will it protect the taxpayers from this debt, it will shut down the government (for awhile), make Congress come back from its break, and poison relations between Trump and Congress. That’s good news for conservatives when populists are in power.

    DRJ (15874d)

  62. Its 2200 pages, drj that in itself should be a firing offense, recall the 2016 omnibus contained the scrutiny protocols on those 7 countries

    narciso (d1f714)

  63. Salcido got fired, officially on Wednesday night. And the Cox Republican guy is moving into 2nd place for CA Gov, at least that pushes Villar out of the semis.

    urbanleftbehind (ddcc04)

  64. Aw f-f-f-fer crying out loud! Here I am, fighting with Hoagie over nothing, and Trump is now threatening to veto the bill he loved yesterday. His position on things really is the position of the person he most recently talked to.

    nk (dbc370)

  65. Chuck, more than the money (on that I’m almost joking), I really don’t like the idea of the military being its own community. I want citizen soldiers whose roots remain in the civilian culture, which they leave temporarily to serve in the armed forces but then return to.

    That’s a fair point. The other side of that argument is that soldiers who are allowed to bring their families with them when stationed overseas for long periods of time will be more likely to remain in the service longer, and having soldiers committed to the service as a career is a net benefit.

    A better argument to make is that we shouldn’t be stationing soldiers overseas. I’d be inclined to agree on that one.

    Chuck Bartowski (7ba363)

  66. Hoagie wasnt happy with it, neither was I, but the process precludes a rational outcome.

    narciso (d1f714)

  67. Regarding Trump’s tweedle-twaddle about “considering” vetoing the spending bill, remember what his supporters have told you a million times – pay no attention to what he says, watch what he does. He’s like a magician, tricking you into keeping your eye on the left hand while the right hand is busy doing the dirty work. His tweet means nothing at all, ignore it.

    Jerryskids (cfad51)

  68. A better argument to make is that we shouldn’t be stationing soldiers overseas. I’d be inclined to agree on that one.


    And that is where my cutting would start. Plus, any nation we protect, pays.

    I want citizen soldiers whose roots remain in the civilian culture, which they leave temporarily to serve in the armed forces but then return to.


    That’s a very quaint thought….if you’re fighting Napoleon but in today’s world we can’t spend a year to raise an army if there’s a war. We might not be here when the army is ready.

    Rev.Hoagie (1b0402)

  69. And what of mcconell the professional dog wrangler, has responsible for this pigs breakfast

    narciso (d1f714)

  70. The president as having second thoughts given his latest tweet:

    I am considering a VETO of the Omnibus Spending Bill based on the fact that the 800,000 plus DACA recipients have been totally abandoned by the Democrats (not even mentioned in Bill) and the BORDER WALL, which is desperately needed for our National Defense, is not fully funded.
    5:55 AM – Mar 23, 2018

    This after the bill has already passed. Does he really mean it, or is he just trying to appear the later that he wasn’t from the get go? How would Congress react to this?

    Dana (023079)

  71. *leader*

    Dana (023079)

  72. Trump loves to spend money — he’s made a career out of conspicuous consumption — and he undoubtedly thinks there will be many more spending bills he can push through Congress. Especially if he has a more Democrats in Congress after the midterms, because: Trump + Democrats = Spending Heaven.

    DRJ (15874d)

  73. Pocket veto? Congress will be out from this evening to April 9.

    nk (dbc370)

  74. Can you tell me why a corporal’s base pay is more than the stipend of a teaching/research assistant with an MS degree? Or why there should be a K-12 school at the Guantanamo Naval Base?
    nk (dbc370) — 3/23/2018 @ 5:39 am

    Does the teaching/research assistant with an MS degree have people shooting at him/her? Maybe some of the pay is for the risks involved? How about how military service in any capacity is hard on the body? I was not in a particularly hardcore specialty when I was enlisted or after I got commissioned, yet the constant wear and tear has taken its toll. Training is often more difficult than the real thing, as it should be, but that means you feel it constantly when you get older.

    As far as K-12 schools at Guantanamo go, if I could have brought my family there, I absolutely would have. I paid completely out of pocket to bring them to San Antonio for the Officer Basic Course because I wanted them near. You would too. And since you have no idea of the security at GTMO, please don’t use the human shield argument again. It’s as silly as saying the same thing about taking family to Korea or Germany.

    Stashiu3 (466cdf)

  75. I really don’t like the idea of the military being its own community. I want citizen soldiers whose roots remain in the civilian culture, which they leave temporarily to serve in the armed forces but then return to.
    nk (dbc370) — 3/23/2018 @ 6:55 am

    Yeah, I’d like that for politicians. If you try that with military, you get your @ss kicked as a country.

    Stashiu3 (466cdf)

  76. By “human shields”, I meant placing civilians in, or near, legitimate military targets. Which military installations are. Legitimate military targets. If it was a crime for Saddam Hussein to do it, it’s a crime for the Pentagon too.

    nk (dbc370)

  77. nevertheless our tatters would do well to honor the spirit of the thing:

    citizen soldiers whose roots remain in the civilian culture

    yes yes the further we move away from that the scummier the US Military becomes

    happyfeet (28a91b)

  78. Thinking ahead (whether or not Trump vetoes this bill), what will the relations be between Trump and Congress? I can’t imagine any part of the GOP coalition trusting Trump, let alone wanting to please him, except for his core supporters. How many are there?

    No one else will trust Trump, which leaves Trump with the Democrats. They will be glad to use him but they won’t be reliable, and bullying doesn’t work as well when Presidents don’t have a solid base of supporters.

    DRJ (15874d)

  79. RIP Charles Lazarus, the man who founded Toys ‘R’ Us in 1948

    papertiger (c8116c)

  80. I knew what you meant. I disagree with your premise. Bases in Iraq were military targets and family members were not allowed. Foreign bases have family members evacuated if it looks like they may become targets. We don’t keep family members there to shield the bases. By your reasoning, family members, or any civilians, should not be allowed on or near military bases anywhere, including the United States, because they are “legitimate military targets.”

    I don’t mean to pick at you, especially since we’ve butted heads in the past about your views regarding the military. I will say that I think your reasoning is faulty, decline to speculate on why, and wish you to be well. We’re not going to agree on this.

    Stashiu3 (466cdf)

  81. as if pedophile Mitt Romney’s slick-up and shiny boy toy Paul Ryan were *trustworthy*

    as if dirty Mitch McConnell and his corrupt pig wife could be *trusted* to do anything but enrich themselves and feather their nest

    as if coward-ass “build the dang fence” obamacare supporter John “crash dummy” McCain could be trusted as if he even knew of such idea as honor and dignity

    happyfeet (28a91b)

  82. oops of such *ideas* as honor and dignity i mean

    happyfeet (28a91b)

  83. For Haiku, his daily dose of Instapundit links. Reynolds should eat a little crow unless Trump follows through on his veto threat, but I don’t think he will.

    DRJ (15874d)

  84. If President Trump does veto, will Patterico agree to do a post on how President Trump’s tweets and statements are possibly cover for his actual positions meant to draw out other’s real intent? It’s what he actually ends up doing that matters?

    That is mostly tongue-in-cheek teasing. I still hope he vetoes, but Patterico and I see differently on this. If President Trump signs, Patterico and I will definitely be closer in opinion.

    Stashiu3 (466cdf)

  85. If Ronald Reagan could veto bills when he didn’t control Congress then Trump can veto this pig-in-a-poke when the R’s do. If Trump signs this bill then he owns this bill. That means the election was for naught because the Deep State/Swamp wins and we can look forward to commiecrat rule ad infinitum.

    Rev.Hoagie (1b0402)

  86. Seriously, I hope somebody in the White House looks into the pocket veto thing. A bill becomes law if the President does not veto it within ten days not including Sundays. Unless Congress is not in session in which case it expires unless he signs it within those ten days, and Congress will be out for longer than that. Trump can avoid the v-word and just say “I don’t see how I can sign this” and let the Constitution take its course.

    MOREOVER, a pocket veto cannot be overridden! Honest! They would have to re-pass the Bill from scratch.

    nk (dbc370)

  87. Hoagie’s right – Trump hasn’t signed anything yet. He can be pilloried for selling out if he does, but he doesn’t own this albatross yet.

    Leviticus (efada1)

  88. Trump will sign the bill. He already has a fact sheet posted at WhiteHouse.gov explaining why the Omnibus is such a great bill. It’s called “The American People Win as President Donald J. Trump’s Priorities are Funded” because what’s good for Trump must be good for us!

    PS to nk: Trump also proclaimed Sunday, March 25, as Greek Independence Day, A National Day of Celebration of Greek and American Democracy. Συγχαρητήρια !

    DRJ (15874d)

  89. The best part for me is how DJT got rolled on funding for the wall. One measly year, $1.6B. They refuse to give him the relative pittance of $25B. And he will sign it anyway.

    From the day he was elected, I insisted a wall would never get built, let alone have Mexico pay for it. Today, in the mother of all pork bills, no wall.

    I will stake my prognosticating reputation on DJT not vetoing the bill. If he somehow does, he will not list full funding of the wall as a neglected priority in the bill.

    This is truly it. Either he is who he said he was countless times in the campaign, or he is not. I’d love to be dead wrong about him.

    Ed from SFV (d5c1ee)

  90. I hope Trump listens to the conservatives in Congress and realizes this is a mistake. Conservatives policies have brought him success. This won’t.

    DRJ (15874d)

  91. Oh, I dont know if “owning” this bill means a whole lot, woe-is-me Rauner slid by his challenger (51 to 49) after getting shanked with the veto proof income tax increase. A smidge of actual wall in Arizona would clinch the Rs in their delegation, put the onus on Flake and on McCain to gird up for a melodramatic vote with Cindy and Meghan pushing the wheelchair in (now….b..b..build…th…e….d…am….wahh…).

    urbanleftbehind (5eecdb)

  92. Good morning, all! Just two points to be made this morning:

    1. I truly hope and pray that Trump does not sign this bill as currently constituted, as we desperately need to reduce spending.

    2. It’s said, we are a nation of laws and we do need them. But lawyers add substantial cost, and have a detrimental impact on our society in nearly every facet of life.

    That is all.

    Colonel Haiku (2601c0)

  93. DRJ, now dont get Hoagie’s gander up, he’s one of those Lieutenant Dan Americans who thinks we should have closed the barn door after 1850.

    urbanleftbehind (5eecdb)

  94. In case Trump rabbit holes it:

    White House Logo SHARE
    FACT SHEETS

    The American People Win as President Donald J. Trump’s Priorities are Funded
    BUDGET & SPENDING

    Issued on: March 22, 2018
    menuALL NEWS
    QUOTE
    We must work across party lines to give our heroic troops the equipment, resources, and support that they have earned a thousand times over.

    President Donald J. Trump

    A WIN FOR THE AMERICAN PEOPLE: President Donald J. Trump has succeeded in securing funding for priorities that protect and support all Americans.

    Americans elected President Trump because they believed in his vision for increased economic and national security, and he continues to deliver on his promises.
    The omnibus funding bill is a victory for the American people and supports President Trump’s priorities.
    The military will be rebuilt with over $665 billion in total discretionary funding for the Department of Defense.
    The border will be protected with $1.57 billion for border wall construction over six months.
    Opioid addiction and abuse will be addressed with nearly $4 billion, including $3 billion in new funding to advance President Trump’s plan.
    America’s schools will be secured with stronger legislation and additional resources.
    Infrastructure spending is increased and delivered through programs that allow for robust competition.
    A WIN FOR THE AMERICAN MILITARY AND OUR VETERANS: President Trump has made rebuilding our military and national security one of his primary priorities and the omnibus provides the necessary funding.

    Funding for the Department of Defense is increased to $665 billion, up by almost $60 billion over last year’s level. The omnibus funding bill:
    Fully funds a 2.4 percent pay raise for our troops, the largest raise since 2010.
    Provides $66 billion for Overseas Contingency Operations to fight ISIS and other terrorist threats.
    Includes $144 billion for the tools and equipment our soldiers need, from new aircraft and ships, to missile defense, which is a more than $20 billion increase from last year.
    The agreement includes $81.5 billion for the Department of Veterans Affairs, including an additional $2 billion for infrastructure programs to repair and enhance VA medical facilities and State Veterans Homes.
    A WIN FOR BORDER SECURITY: President Trump promised to secure the border and prevent illegal immigration, the omnibus funding bill helps achieve that.

    $1.57 billion is provided to fund many miles of border walls and fencing in key areas, including new construction and repairs.
    U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) funding is increased by 10 percent, or $703 million.
    The Department of Justice’s Executive Office for Immigration Review is provided $505 million, including funds to hire and deploy new Immigration Judge teams.
    A WIN FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT: President Trump has worked with Congress to secure our communities and protect our children.

    Funding for Federal law enforcement agencies, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), will receive an increase in funding to combat violent crime and drug abuse.
    School safety is prioritized in the omnibus, which provides:
    $1.2 billion for education programs to improve school safety.
    Two legislative priorities strongly supported by President Trump: the STOP School Violence Act and the Fix NICS Act.
    Funds mental health programs authorized in the 21st Century Cures Act.
    America’s opioid epidemic is the crisis next door, and the omnibus bill provides nearly $4 billion to combat this menace, including increased funding for law enforcement.
    Billions are allocated to agencies for opioid addiction prevention and treatment, as well as law enforcement to reduce the supply of illicit opioids poisoning our communities.
    Grants are allocated to states and localities to help offset the costs of opioid abuse.
    Funding is provided for research into opioid addiction and alternative treatments.
    Department of Justice grant programs receive $330 million to support drug courts, treatment, and prescription drug monitoring.
    Funding is provided to specifically combat human and drug trafficking.
    A WIN FOR AMERICAN INFRASTRUCTURE: The omnibus provides robust funding to rebuild our Nation’s infrastructure.

    The bill provides robust funding for infrastructure.
    This includes $635 million in rural broadband and $2 billion to address VA’s maintenance backlog.
    The bill also includes substantial funding increases for traditional core infrastructure, such as highways, airports, railways, and waterways.
    A significant share of this funding increase is directed to competitive, merit-based infrastructure grant programs with no special advantage to certain projects.
    A WIN FOR WORKERS AND FAMILIES: The omnibus increases worker protections, expands access to effective job training programs, and provides additional support for working families.

    The bill prevents employers from confiscating employees’ tips, while eliminating barriers to establishing tip pools, so cooks and support staff can share the tips their hard work has helped generate.
    Funding for apprenticeships is increased by more than 50 percent.
    $120 million is provided for Reemployment Service and Eligibility Assessments, effective interventions that help unemployed workers find jobs faster.
    The bill increases funding for Historically Black Colleges and University Title III Program.
    Funding for the Child Care and Development Block Grant is increased by over $2 billion so more parents can obtain high-quality care for their children.
    A WIN FOR CONSERVATIVES: The omnibus budget fulfills key conservative principles held by President Trump and the American people.

    All existing pro-life provisions, including the Hyde and Helms Amendments that prohibit the use of taxpayer dollars for abortion, are continued.
    Increases for national defense outpace those for non-defense spending, ending the fiscally irresponsible demand for parity between the two categories.
    Freezes pay for Members of Congress and applies unspent funds to reducing the deficit.
    Increases oversight of Federal contracts and travel spending.

    White House Logo
    The White House

    DRJ (15874d)

  95. lol the idea of weaksh!t coward John McCain “girding up” for something makes me think of those walmart scooters

    happyfeet (28a91b)

  96. I expect Trump to veto it after he signs it.

    Kevin M (752a26)

  97. PS to nk: Trump also proclaimed Sunday, March 25, as Greek Independence Day, A National Day of Celebration of Greek and American Democracy. Συγχαρητήρια !

    Thank you, DRJ. The recently independent United States gave a lot of assistance to the Greek Revolution in 1821, to the extent that “Washington’s land” which “remembered the chains that had bound her” is appreciated in the long version of the Greek National Anthem:

    Γκαρδιακά χαροποιήθει και του Βάσιγκτον η γη,
    και τα σίδερα ενθυμήθει που την έδεναν κι αυτή.

    nk (dbc370)

  98. 97, thats the idea, happyfeet – Meghan McCain is becoming a polite version of the Flake kids, mostly from having to duke it out on the View every afternoon.

    urbanleftbehind (5eecdb)

  99. My favorite part of Trump’s Fact Sheet on the Omnibus:

    Funding for Federal law enforcement agencies, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), will receive an increase in funding to combat violent crime and drug abuse.

    He tries to say there are limits on what the money can be used for, as if that makes it ok to give more money to the FBI that he claims has corrupt and incompetent leaders. Who else but Trump applauds giving money to people he claims are corrupt? It shows, again, that his idea of The Truth changes daily.

    DRJ (15874d)

  100. Recent history review;

    A group of 10 Senate Republicans are calling on Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell to cancel their scheduled August recess from Washington in order to catch up on the following five priorities: fixing health care, funding the government, dealing with the debt ceiling, passing the budget resolution and improving our tax code.

    The letter was signed by Sens. David Perdue, R-Georgia, Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, James Lankford, R-Oklahoma, John Kennedy, R-Louisiana, Mike Lee, R-Utah, Mike Rounds, R-South Dakota, Luther Strange, R-Alabama, Dan Sullivan, R-Arkansas, Thom Tillis, R-North Carolina and Steve Daines, R-Montana,

    https://www.cbsnews.com/news/cancel-august-recess-for-congress-group-of-senate-republicans-say/

    So it was the conservative caucus blocking the President’s appointments, moreso than Mitch McConnel.

    papertiger (c8116c)

  101. The Greeks, especially Cleisthenes and other Athenians, are the fathers of Democracy but I need help translating, nk.

    DRJ (15874d)

  102. papertiger,

    How is wanting to cancel the August 2017 recess — so they could keep working — evidence that conservatives were blocking Trump’s nominees? More important, why does that matter on the subject of the Omnibus?

    DRJ (15874d)

  103. Evidently, DRJ thinks all of the FBI and DEA are corrupt, not just those in leadership who have become lawless and politicized.

    Colonel Haiku (ed0bb1)

  104. Γκαρδιακά χαροποιήθει και του Βάσιγκτον η γη,
    και τα σίδερα ενθυμήθει που την έδεναν κι αυτή.

    As literally as possible. Italics context:
    [Upon hearing of the Greek uprising]
    Deep in her heart was gladdened Washington’s land,
    and she remembered the irons which had bound her too.
    [And sent help.]

    nk (dbc370)

  105. It doesn’t matter anymore. No matter what the voters think or do in the ballot box, Washington will spend every last dollar. They weren’t even arguing about should it be spent but how, the very idea of some sort of fiscal restraint is dead.

    Allen (5f3847)

  106. No, Haiku, I don’t think that and thank you for giving me a chance to make that clear. But the rank and file doesnt’t get to decide how to spend the money. The leaders do, and why would Trump want to give them more money since he thinks they are corrupt, not trustworthy and disgraceful?

    DRJ (15874d)

  107. Thank you, nk. I didn’t know that. It makes me feel a bond with Greece.

    DRJ (15874d)

  108. He tries to say there are limits on what the money can be used for, as if that makes it ok to give more money to the FBI that he claims has corrupt and incompetent leaders. Who else but Trump applauds giving money to people he claims are corrupt? It shows, again, that his idea of The Truth changes daily.
    DRJ (15874d) — 3/23/2018 @ 8:50 am


    I am reluctant to claim Trump believes the entire FBI is corrupt. Sadly I’m also reluctant to claim myself that it is not. They say a fish rots from the head down. I never watched a fish rot but I’ve seen businesses go south because their owners were A-holes not because they had a few bad waiters.

    DRJ, when are you going to realize Trump’s idea of what the truth is may or may not change daily we have no way of knowing that. What we do know is what he says or what he claims changes minute by minute. Do you think he does that to f**k with your brain or the democrat’s?

    Again, if the SOB signs this budget he is through. Veto!

    Rev.Hoagie (1b0402)

  109. I dunno. It may be apropos of noting … but in my previous existence I was in the Congressional District of the only pro-life Democrat in Cook County. A powerful politician from a powerful political family. After the 2010 census, the borders of his district were changed to give him even less progressive Chicago and more conservative suburbs. In this primary election, last Tuesday, he almost tied with a Bernie Sanders progressive, eking out a very small winning margin. The whole country is moving left in my opinion.

    nk (dbc370)

  110. From a source i trust, unlike these johnnie come latelies

    https://www.hoover.org/research/my-war-russian-trolls

    narciso (d1f714)

  111. Up until now, DRJ, haven’t seen much interest on the part of many to bring these operatives and their enablers to some sort of justice. Trump has certainly been vocal about it. Perhaps the IG report will facilitate that, perhaps not.

    Colonel Haiku (ed0bb1)

  112. I used the phrase “to give more money to the FBI that he claims has corrupt and incompetent leaders” on purpose. The next sentence that uses the word “people” is a reference to leaders, not the rank and file.

    I know this is an emotional subject for you and Haiku, Hoagie, but please consider what I actually wrote. Did I ever claim you were disrespecting the entire FBI when you criticize the actions of its leaders like Comey or McCabe?

    DRJ (15874d)

  113. DRJ, when are you going to realize Trump’s idea of what the truth is may or may not change daily we have no way of knowing that. What we do know is what he says or what he claims changes minute by minute. Do you think he does that to f**k with your brain or the democrat’s?

    I think he does it to fool the voters. He wants everyone to believe he can please them all the time.

    DRJ (15874d)

  114. There needs to be a change in leadership, I don’t think ray is reliable for reasons going back to 2004:

    http://www.powerlineblog.com/archives/2018/03/trade-war-with-china-were-already-in-one.php

    narciso (d1f714)

  115. I also think he is foolish enough to believe he can pull it off. Narcissistic conmen have unlimited faith in their abilities.

    DRJ (15874d)

  116. I hope the IG report does help, Haiku. I also hope Trump uses the report to bring accountability and not a new campaign issue for his 2020 re-election.

    DRJ (15874d)

  117. The bureau and past dos leadership have been an obstacle to what he has tried to do.

    narciso (d1f714)

  118. Hoagie, if he’s trying to mess with the Democrats, its not working. They are winning.

    DRJ (15874d)

  119. @88

    I don’t think a pocket veto is possible. Congress is pretty much never “not in session”. Remember the Obama recess appointment thing?

    Davethulhu (fab944)

  120. The bureau and past dos leadership have been an obstacle to what he has tried to do.

    narciso (d1f714) — 3/23/2018 @ 9:54 am

    Of course they have but he knew that when he was running for office. He promised to end government corruption and drain the swamp.

    DRJ (15874d)

  121. The Senate went into recess yesterday.
    http://cdn.videos.rollcall.com/author/2017/12/2018-Congressional_Calendar.jpg

    Now he’s threatening a veto over a bill that is squarely in the appointment blocker’s ballywick, for the very reason they claimed to block Trump’s recess appointments the last time.

    If they block him again they’re proven frauds.

    papertiger (c8116c)

  122. Trump is signing the bill any minute, papertiger. The White House livestream website is already announcing it.

    DRJ (15874d)

  123. I suspect you’re right, Davethulhu. I read a little bit on it and it seems that they gavel themselves into session every three days even when they’re on vacation. But it dates to before Obama — 2006 if not earlier.

    nk (dbc370)

  124. If they don’t stay in Washington to fix their crappy bill that nobody like, they’re proven frauds.

    It’s an in your face catch 22 so that Trump gets his appointments.

    papertiger (c8116c)

  125. Trump doesn’t have to sign the bill, papertiger. The bill is nothing until he signs it.

    DRJ (15874d)

  126. @125

    Right, I was just using an example that I figure everyone here is familiar with.

    Davethulhu (fab944)

  127. I know, right, DRJ? Why doesn’t he make them sweat until the ten days expire, and let them worry whether it’s a valid pocket veto or not?

    nk (dbc370)

  128. The last time Democrat intransigence shut down the Federal government President Trump pointed the finger at Schumer and Pelosi, made his case directly to the American people, and despite the best efforts of the national media, succeeded in laying the blame squarely on the Democrat Party leaders where it belonged.

    Exposed red-handed and unused to being caught in the bright light of public humiliation, Schumer rolled over faster than boiled asparagus.

    Trump has masterfully set the stage for a replay – it’s the old rope-a-dope. Only this time Trump’s caught a few GOP big shots in the headlights.

    (Posted before Trump’s White House announcement.)

    ropelight (299687)

  129. Trump today:

    President Trump says he will sign spending bill but “I will never sign another bill like this again.”

    That’s leadership with a little “l.”

    DRJ (15874d)

  130. that’s a red line in the sand good for President Trump

    laying down a marker putting that swamp on notice

    he’s got his eye on the bigger picture here that’s for sure

    happyfeet (28a91b)

  131. I’m wrong, Trump’s going along with this travesty. It reminds me of lost opportunity on the scale Democrats squandered at their 1968 Chicago National Convention.

    Trump is attempting to justify this humiliating betrayal by claiming our military is in such desperate need that he has no choice but to acquiesce if he’s to keep the nation safe.

    Needless to say, I’m disappointed in Donald Trump X10 – this betrayal will likely cost him a 2nd term.

    ropelight (299687)

  132. this underscores the possibility that the sleazy corrupt pig-trash in the mattis tranny-boi pentagon could very be threatening a coup if they don’t get PAID

    happyfeet (28a91b)

  133. oopers

    could very *well* be threatening a coup i mean

    happyfeet (28a91b)

  134. he’s got his eye on the bigger picture here that’s for sure

    Yeah, his core base doesn’t care how he redistributes wealth as long as they get their share. And I am not being snide.

    nk (dbc370)

  135. Trump today:

    President Trump says he will sign spending bill but “I will never sign another bill like this again.

    That’s leadership with a little “l.”

    DRJ (15874d) — 3/23/2018 @ 10:35 am

    In fairness, I’m a little “v” voter. I voted for Trump once but I never will again.

    DRJ (15874d)

  136. It’s the “system’s” fault:

    The president added he was “disappointed” in the legislation and would “never sign another bill like this again.”

    “We’re very proud of many of the items that we’ve been able to get. We’re very disappointed that in order to fund the military, we had to give up things where we consider in many cases them to be bad or them to be a waste of money. But that’s the way unfortunately right now the system works,” Trump said at the White House on Friday. He added that he “looked very seriously” at a veto, but his support for the military spending levels “overrode” his concerns about the bill.

    Dana (023079)

  137. Fine vote for Kampala Harris, or whoever makes her look centrist, your senator Cornyn voted for it, probably crafted it.

    narciso (97bdaa)

  138. #136, nk, and you don’t care how low you have to stoop to to smear Trump’s core base.

    Why not go ahead and introduce core base with ‘deplorable?’ That’ll help identify the affiliations behind your pretense.

    ropelight (299687)

  139. Well the karamlis their version of the Rockefellers haven’t done much in 30 some years.

    narciso (97bdaa)

  140. Yeah, his core base doesn’t care how he redistributes wealth as long as they get their share. And I am not being snide.
    nk (dbc370) — 3/23/2018 @ 10:52 am


    No, you’re not snide, you’re bigoted. It’s okay, I’m bigoted too. Only against commies. So you don’t like his “base” which I guess includes me since I voted for him as well as a lot of others here who voted for him. You and Hillary would consider us Deplorables as ropelight pointed out.

    Well, for the first time Trump did something political I disagree with. No, I hate. There is no defending him or the GOP on this bill. When the opposition who is in the minority is running around to their constituents declaring victory and they are correct, something is very wrong with the Republican Party. I’m changing my registration to independent.

    This Major Betrayal by Donald Trump is tantamount to George Bush’s great “Read my lips, no new taxes” lie and will have the same destructive effect on the Republican party and will set the stage to launch decades of leftist rule. We now lose both houses and the WH by 2020. Watch and see.

    Rev.Hoagie (1b0402)

  141. Perhaps, the opportunity to show the Congress can walk and chew gum was too improbable.

    narciso (97bdaa)

  142. Moloch minions get funded that is a,key function of govt wonder if fusion GPS was involved?

    narciso (97bdaa)

  143. 115. DRJ (15874d) — 3/23/2018 @ 9:51 am

    I think he does it to fool the voters.
    He wants everyone to believe he can please them all the time.

    Not everyone equally. He most wants to satisfy fool his core voters. Therefore, he is much affected by publicity.

    He knows there are political positions that will garnermore support. But he doesn’t want to loseany voters.

    Sammy Finkelman (02a146)

  144. Compromises in Washington are found by giving everybody money to spend.

    Sammy Finkelman (02a146)

  145. @ Dave (#14): Nopers. You want your friendly witness to be believed. Hearing the words come spontaneously from the witness himself, rather than using (or re-using or responding to) the words suggested by the questioner, has by far the biggest positive effect on observers’ assessment of a witness’ credibility. The last thing the questioner wants is for the observer to say, “Wow, what a clever set of questions.” The witness’ credibility increases in inverse proportion to the questioner’s portion of the spotlight; the questioner wants to be invisible, and it’s the answers you want the audience to retain.

    Alas, not one trial lawyer in five appreciates this, and yes, that’s an indictment of my profession’s diminishing skillset.

    Beldar (fa637a)

  146. @ DRJ (#115 & #117): +1.

    Beldar (fa637a)

  147. Lincoln supposedly said (but probably didn’t actually say): “You can fool all the people some of the time and some of the people all the time, but you cannot fool all the people all the time.”

    What’s genuinely depressing to me is the number of commenters in this blog who have deliberately moved themselves from the category of “people who can be fooled some of the time” into “people who can, and desperately want to be, fooled all of the time, so long as Donald J. Trump is running the con job.” This includes former friends here whom I once respected, but whose comments I no longer read, because their desperate faith in their clay-footed cult leader has made them mean and deliberately offensive, as when they purport to have the right to tell me I should be ashamed of myself for not falling in line and supporting our Dear Leader.

    Beldar (fa637a)

  148. @130
    @131

    These two posts go together like wine and cheese.

    Davethulhu (fab944)

  149. Trump is the GOPe’s b-word.

    (I’m trying not to curse these days.)

    Patterico (cf4526)

  150. He needs a change of subject and fast. I wonder what he’ll do.

    Patterico (cf4526)

  151. Doesn’t matter. Many people supported him because he was supposed to be different and not let garbage like this happen. “Clean the swamp.” pffft.

    Impeach away. The excuse that he did it for the military is nonsense. I went through several “halts” such as shutdowns, sequester, fiscal year, etc… not that big an impact. We still worked, trained, got paid (eventually) at least most of whatever we were supposed to. Life went on. Using that as an excuse is actually spitting on our military.

    Let him testify and see what happens. Whatever it takes to impeach him. He was using the long con, but now it’s over. We won’t be fooled again. (whoever thinks they’re funny, don’t link to the song. Not in the mood.)

    Stashiu3 (466cdf)

  152. whatever he does he should invite some cheerleaders to come along

    they’re so fun and they don’t even need a lot of clothes to be fun

    happyfeet (28a91b)

  153. Mr. Stashiu you’re kinda lowering the impeachment bar to a super-low level

    and plus I love him and I’m not gonna let anybody do impeachment on him

    happyfeet (28a91b)

  154. High crimes and misdemeanors hf. Not otherwise defined. The bar is where Congress and the Senate says it is. Dems got what they want, they don’t really need him anymore. They think they’ll rally their progressive base if they can get an impeachment. They may be right. I no longer care.

    Stashiu3 (466cdf)

  155. You can learn to love President Pence. Or not.

    Stashiu3 (466cdf)

  156. don’t make me take off my shoe

    happyfeet (28a91b)

  157. don’t make me take off my shoe
    happyfeet (28a91b) — 3/23/2018 @ 12:33 pm

    By all means… proceed.

    Stashiu3 (466cdf)

  158. Well, for the first time Trump did something political I disagree with. No, I hate. There is no defending him or the GOP on this bill. When the opposition who is in the minority is running around to their constituents declaring victory and they are correct, something is very wrong with the Republican Party. I’m changing my registration to independent.

    This Major Betrayal by Donald Trump is tantamount to George Bush’s great “Read my lips, no new taxes” lie and will have the same destructive effect on the Republican party and will set the stage to launch decades of leftist rule. We now lose both houses and the WH by 2020. Watch and see.

    Welcome to the Dark Side. We have cookies. And we hate overspending and broken promises. But again, we love cookies.

    Patterico (cf4526)

  159. If it makes anyone feel better, Kurt Schlichter and John Cardillo don’t blame Trump.

    Patterico (cf4526)

  160. High crimes and misdemeanors hf.

    Nowadays, “misdemeanor” is a class of criminal conduct less serious than a felony. But I don’t think it meant the same thing in 1780ish.

    A misdemeanor is a minor wrongdoing. Presumably, Congress can impeach a President for being an incredibly crummy Pres. You just need a majority of the House and 2/3 of the Senate to agree.

    Chuck Bartowski (7ba363)

  161. President Trump understands that it’s a flawed process and it’s not his job to right the rainbow

    all he has to do is keep on delivering especially on the parts of his agenda that are within his control

    and we all have to do our part to help him cause that’s the American spirit

    happyfeet (28a91b)

  162. If only he had some control over whether a bill becomes law.

    Patterico (cf4526)

  163. he’s working on that he said – this’ll be the last time he has to sign a crappy bill like this

    happyfeet (28a91b)

  164. “has to sign”

    Patterico (cf4526)

  165. we’ll see

    if panty-boi mattis somehow manages to deliver some kinda results with all this piggy slop then maybe just maybe it will have been worth it

    not much we can do about it today so I’m a try and make a ginger cayenne reduction

    happyfeet (28a91b)

  166. the shoe’s holstered for now btw

    as you were gentlemen

    happyfeet (28a91b)

  167. Nowadays, “misdemeanor” is a class of criminal conduct less serious than a felony. But I don’t think it meant the same thing in 1780ish.
    A misdemeanor is a minor wrongdoing. Presumably, Congress can impeach a President for being an incredibly crummy Pres. You just need a majority of the House and 2/3 of the Senate to agree.
    Chuck Bartowski (7ba363) — 3/23/2018 @ 12:49 pm

    Chuck Bartowski,

    I wasn’t trying to define terms. As I said, they mean precisely what Congress and the Senate says they do. If Congress defines double-knotting his tennis shoes as a misdemeanor and vote to impeach, he’s impeached. If the Senate agrees and votes to convict, he’s convicted and removed from office.

    So, it no longer matter what they meant because they chose not to define terms. A mistake on their part in my opinion, but my opinion does not control. Congress and the Senate do. All this to show I already understood the process when I made the original comment which I believe was clear to everyone except you.

    Stashiu3 (466cdf)

  168. the shoe’s holstered for now btw
    as you were gentlemen
    happyfeet (28a91b) — 3/23/2018 @ 1:07 pm

    Oh no, please proceed. I’m curious and willing to accept the consequences.

    Stashiu3 (466cdf)

  169. Pfft. Veto tweet merely distraction to quash morning chatter over doodling McDougal.

    In his TeeVee statement, our Captain rationalized negotiating a lousy deal by couching his ‘has to sign’ decision as a matter of ‘national security’ citing the military– it’s their fault, poor underfunded chaps; always someone else’s fault, you know– yet the military has said many, many times the biggest ‘threat’ to ‘national security’ is the national debt. Go figure. Because our Captain hasn’t but vows never to sign anything like this again. And we know how loyal our Captain is to his vows– eh, ladies.

    Off to Mar-A-Lago; Sunny skies for Stormy Sunday, eh, Captain, sir!!

    DCSCA (797bc0)

  170. 165.–this’ll be the last time he has to sign a crappy bill like this

    But a gentleman from New York always picks up the bill for the ladies, eh, Mr. Feet!

    DCSCA (797bc0)

  171. everything’s gonna be ok now that this unpleasantness is behind us here is where we are

    #1 (most important factor) is it’s springtime!

    #2 (second most important factor) is we’re finally confronting the dirty chinesers about their sneaky trade shenanigans – this is an activity we can all do together as an extended American family

    #3 (not as important) is there’s a new mexican place in Andersonville I’m a try this weekend called octavio – my expectations are moderate but they have what looks like some fun cocktails and maybe it’ll be a good time cause we know people there

    #4 (not as important as #1 and #2 but definitely more important than #3) is there’s gonna be a second round of tax cuts I LOVE TAX CUTS

    so there you go it’s a beautiful new beginning for us all and this is why I wanna make a ginger cayenne reduction and mix it with a lil cream just to have something to play with

    happyfeet (28a91b)

  172. he’s working on that he said – this’ll be the last time he has to sign a crappy bill like this

    The funny thing is that you keep taking him at his word, when he has gone back on his word so often.

    This will be the last time he has to sign a crappy bill until the next crappy bill crosses his desk. Then THAT will be the last time. For a while, at least.

    Chuck Bartowski (7ba363)

  173. I already understood the process when I made the original comment which I believe was clear to everyone except you.

    I came late to the conversation, and didn’t read the entire upthread. My fault for that. Please don’t be snarky in the future, I understand more than I let on.

    Chuck Bartowski (7ba363)

  174. I intended to be snarky. Honestly, I am angry President Trump signed this and took it out on you unfairly. My intent was inappropriate and I apologize. You did not deserve the snark… it wasn’t you who signed the bill.

    Again, my apologies.

    Stashiu3 (466cdf)

  175. Beldar at 148:

    I should have given you credit for those comments. You’ve been saying that for almost two years, and I’m finally convinced.

    DRJ (15874d)

  176. 178.

    President Trump says he will sign spending bill but “I will never sign another bill like this again.”

    Just what is “like this?”

    In 1988, at the State of the Union message, President Reagan said he would never sign another continuing resolution. Is that what he is talking about, or just whatever anybody wants to think?

    Sammy Finkelman (02a146)

  177. I agree with Stashiu3 that “high crimes and misdemeanors” means whatever Congress wants it to mean. They say Gerald Ford agreed, although that may be legend. I always thought the Founders believed impeachment required some element of lack of character, what they called moral turpitude, but it’s debatable.

    DRJ (15874d)

  178. I am so hosed. The Arab in the man bun is my only friend.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H-k37Kbnov0

    אינדי סיטי- Yemen Blues – Jat Mahibathi

    Steve57 (0b1dac)

  179. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9JU55HpvRvCSb1TO2w_eDA

    The Masked Arab

    dcc

    I count myself lucky.

    Steve57 (0b1dac)

  180. the dcc was an artifact.

    Steve57 (0b1dac)


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