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Octafish

(55,745 posts)
8. Dennis Kucinich
Tue Dec 16, 2014, 01:25 PM
Dec 2014

Guy gets it:

America on a War Footing: Three Members of Congress Just Reignited the Cold War While No One Was Looking

by Dennis Kucinich
Truth Dig, Dec. 15, 2014

Late Thursday night, the House of Representatives unanimously passed a far-reaching Russia sanctions bill, a hydra-headed incubator of poisonous conflict. The second provocative anti-Russian legislation in a week, it further polarizes our relations with Russia, helping to cement a Russia-China alliance against Western hegemony, and undermines long-term America’s financial and physical security by handing the national treasury over to war profiteers.

Here’s how the House’s touted “unanimity” was achieved: Under a parliamentary motion termed “unanimous consent,” legislative rules can be suspended and any bill can be called up. If any member of Congress objects, the motion is blocked and the bill dies.

At 10:23:54 p.m. on Thursday, a member rose to ask “unanimous consent” for four committees to be relieved of a Russia sanctions bill. At this point the motion, and the legislation, could have been blocked by a single member who would say “I object.” No one objected, because no one was watching for last-minute bills to be slipped through.

Most of the House and the media had emptied out of the chambers after passage of the $1.1 trillion government spending package.

The Congressional Record will show only three of 425 members were present on the floor to consider the sanctions bill. Two of the three feigned objection, creating the legislative equivalent of a ‘time out.’ They entered a few words of support, withdrew their “objections” and the clock resumed.

According to the clerk’s records, once the bill was considered under unanimous consent, it was passed, at 10:23:55 p.m., without objection, in one recorded, time-stamped second, unanimously.

Then the House adjourned.

I discovered, in my 16 years in Congress, that many members seldom read the legislation on which they vote. On Oct. 24, 2001, House committees spent long hours debating the Patriot Act. At the last minute, the old bill was swapped out for a version with draconian provisions. I voted against that version of the Patriot Act, because I read it. The legislative process requires attention.

CONTINUED...

http://www.globalresearch.ca/america-on-a-war-footing-three-members-of-congress-just-reignited-the-cold-war-while-no-one-was-looking/5420146

Webb, on paper BeyondGeography Dec 2014 #1
I don't know much about him, but I'll take your point... CTyankee Dec 2014 #2
I really don't think Obama's choice meant a hill of beans. NCTraveler Dec 2014 #3
I think at the time, it was a major consideration. After all, Biden couldn't pull in lots of votes CTyankee Dec 2014 #5
Bidens is non-offensive. NCTraveler Dec 2014 #7
well, Biden had "world experience" that enhanced Obama's campaign. CTyankee Dec 2014 #10
We have another Rock star.... VanillaRhapsody Dec 2014 #52
Truly. And this one might actually have staying power. n/t Smarmie Doofus Dec 2014 #54
Hillary Clinton is glad to have your support! VanillaRhapsody Dec 2014 #55
Great thing about being a dem right now is we have a number of rock stars. NCTraveler Dec 2014 #62
Pitbull would be a good choice snooper2 Dec 2014 #4
I don't think people weigh foreign policy experience very heavily Jackpine Radical Dec 2014 #6
Dennis Kucinich Octafish Dec 2014 #8
Hillary R. Clinton ... 1StrongBlackMan Dec 2014 #9
that was my immediate first choice but I see your point... CTyankee Dec 2014 #11
Why not...this is the year of the woman coming right up....its TIME VanillaRhapsody Dec 2014 #53
Her opposite (except ideologically) Proud Public Servant Dec 2014 #12
would he want to do that? CTyankee Dec 2014 #13
I can't imagine he would, but Proud Public Servant Dec 2014 #15
that's interesting. He's kinda old, tho. I know, I know, I'm old, too... CTyankee Dec 2014 #16
I want him as President! But Proud Public Servant Dec 2014 #17
Well, I thought about that re Brown. He does have the geographical diversity (altho we sure had CTyankee Dec 2014 #21
Leave Jerry in Cali Alittleliberal Dec 2014 #58
Wendy Davis? berni_mccoy Dec 2014 #14
She'd need to demonstrate a real capacity for executive leadership KittyWampus Dec 2014 #18
VP isn't chosen until the nomination is won MiniMe Dec 2014 #19
In Biden's case, IMO, he was chosen both for his foreign policy experience and for the fact that CTyankee Dec 2014 #20
Bingo. SheilaT Dec 2014 #57
I agree, but I do think McCain's VP choice hurt him MiniMe Dec 2014 #59
Possibly. SheilaT Dec 2014 #60
That used to be a joke in 1988 MiniMe Dec 2014 #61
Sanders-Warren, Warren-Dean, Warren-Brown, Warren-Webb appalachiablue Dec 2014 #22
Not sure Dean would be a good pick. He was governor of VT, another New England state. CTyankee Dec 2014 #23
All have their qualities & drawbacks. Dean's very secure, smart, experienced and he's been in the appalachiablue Dec 2014 #30
Joe Biden. morningfog Dec 2014 #24
that ship will have sailed by 2016. I don't think he'd do it but who knows? CTyankee Dec 2014 #25
Can he be VP again legally? Reter Dec 2014 #49
Yes. The 22nd Amendment limits someone being elected President to two terms, but says nothing of VP. morningfog Dec 2014 #51
Gov. Brian Schweitzer earthside Dec 2014 #26
Screw Schweitzer 2naSalit Dec 2014 #29
Again, I am wondering if we don't need someone with a bit more foreign policy experience. CTyankee Dec 2014 #33
As with Clinton, Warren would likely nominate an Hispanic politician to be her running mate. Agnosticsherbet Dec 2014 #27
West Coast. Gregoire or maybe Schweitzer? n/t lumberjack_jeff Dec 2014 #28
The coasts seem to respect each other, Northeast Liberal is a label used by many southern Dems HereSince1628 Dec 2014 #44
This is so boring. WhiteTara Dec 2014 #31
sorry, it's a boring afternoon in CT, gray, cold...so I thought to do something a bit fun... CTyankee Dec 2014 #32
that sounds far more interesting! WhiteTara Dec 2014 #37
well, it is on Monet's snowscape "The Magpie." If you like Monet, you'll like this... CTyankee Dec 2014 #38
I adore Monet and don't know this piece of work WhiteTara Dec 2014 #40
I didn't either until a friend pointed it out. It is one of his many snowscapes. CTyankee Dec 2014 #41
I've got it--Joe Lieberman! First Speaker Dec 2014 #34
The thought of him makes me sick. We here in CT threw him out of our state Dem party! CTyankee Dec 2014 #35
Hey--I'm a life-long southern CT guy...I know what you mean... First Speaker Dec 2014 #47
Julian Castro from TX - TBF Dec 2014 #36
I like him but he's a bit young, don't you think? CTyankee Dec 2014 #39
TR was 42 upon assuming the office of president - TBF Dec 2014 #48
John McCain. What an unbeatable "fusion ticket" that would be. Nye Bevan Dec 2014 #42
A southern male conservative to balance the ticket. Stephen Colbert? LOL nt Electric Monk Dec 2014 #43
The repub party has become such a joke, it might as well be Colbert... CTyankee Dec 2014 #45
I suggest Cynthia McKinney. A good life insurance policy is important if you are going on a bear TheKentuckian Dec 2014 #46
Webb is the "obvious" choice, probably also for Clinton (nt) Recursion Dec 2014 #50
Brown Vattel Dec 2014 #56
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