Senate’s two doctors are divided politically

[JI7]

<Not one to shy away from challenging the status quo, Coburn is trying to change ethics rules that he says prevent him from practicing medicine on weekends and during breaks. Coburn says he only wants to recover his costs, but Senate rules generally bar lawmakers from earning outside income.

Frist, a heart-lung surgeon before coming to Congress, sometimes volunteers his surgical services, including on trips to developing countries, but has not sought compensation. Although he is involved in the discussion on Coburn’s request, he has declined to offer his view of it.

For example, Coburn said, in reference to his anti-abortion and pro-death penalty stances, that he supports capital punishment for "abortionists and other people who take life." During last year’s campaign he also talked about lesbianism running rampant in some Oklahoma schools and called state legislators in Oklahoma City "a bunch of crapheads."

Coburn also is a vocal critic of earmarking, a common practice in which lawmakers insert pet projects into legislation to bring federal largess to their districts.

In one instance, while he was in the House, he refused an offer for money for projects back home saying he viewed it as a bribe to support a bill laden with pork.

Frist hasn’t been shy about using his influence as Senate leader to insert earmarks in spending bills to pay for projects such as a replacement for the aging Chickamauga Lock on the Tennessee River.>


http://www.columbiatribune.com/2005/Jan/20050127News028.asp

[Pegleg Thd]

1. Those of us who happen

to reside in the same town as sleezeball coburnt. Know that he is the worst 'doctor' in the state. He was the worst rep ever for Oklahoma's district 2.

[DemDogs]

2. Have to enjoy

How miserable he is going to make Frist's life. Frist is about to find out there is no worse job to have before running for President than majority leader in the Senate.