GOP senator chairing debate not paying attention, signs autographs

[quaoar]

The GOP obviously has no interest in listening to arguments or debate. They'd rather make jokes, pick their nose, whatever.

http://www.thehill.com/thehill/export/TheHill/News/Frontpage/051705/sens.html

Guess who's not listening when sens. rise to speak
By Geoff Earle

Senators give impassioned floor speeches in the hope of persuading colleagues, or at least of impressing TV viewers watching across the land. But the person they are supposedly addressing — the Republican senator chairing the Senate on the dais — isn’t always paying attention.

Last Monday, while Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-Tenn.) was speaking about the grave injustice of judicial filibusters, Sen. Richard Burr (R-N.C.), sitting in the chair at the head of the chamber, could be seen autographing stacks of 8-by-10 photographs.

Later, when Sen. Arlen Specter (R-Pa.) urged his colleagues to find a compromise that would avert a major confrontation on the filibuster, Burr was still signing photos.

In fact, Burr says, he signed about 1,400 photographs that day, and explains their importance by saying, “I still have my school picture at home” from a childhood trip to Washington.” He says he likes to try to give a similar opportunity to his constituents, sending a signed photo to those who visit his office. He says he signs about 1,000 each week.