This isn't a debate.

[Slack3r78]

eMdlcnK_MI4

This morning, the House began consideration of the rule for debate of the House health care bill. As the Democratic Women’s Caucus took to the microphone on the House floor to offer their arguments for how the bill would benefit women, House Republicans — led by Rep. Tom Price (R-GA) — repeatedly talked over, screamed, and shouted objections. “I object, I object, I object, I object, I object,” Price interjected as Rep. Lois Capps (D-CA) tried to hold the floor.

In an effort to delay and derail the proceedings, the Republicans continually talked over the Democratic women for half an hour. They sought to prevent the debate by calling for unnecessary “parliamentary inquiries” and requests for “expanding the debate” by an hour.

After being repeatedly interrupted by Republican shouts, Rep. Mary Jo Kilroy (D-OH) observed:

Do I not have the right to be able to continue my sentence without objections that are trying to censor my remarks here on the floor that I have a right to make as a member of this House?

http://thinkprogress.org/2009/11/07/gop-gone-wild/

[Slack3r78]

Seriously, I give up. GOP lawmakers aren't interested in a reasoned debate or attempting to reach anything resembling a middle ground. They're spoiled children throwing a temper tantrum because they're not getting exactly their way. They've stopped having a debate and instead gone into full blown theatrics.

I'm normally a strong advocate of giving the minority their say, but in this case, they're intentionally making it a waste of time. This isn't debate; it's obstructionism, pure and simple.

[Chris_D]

Shouldn't the speaker have the right to throw out those who are disrupting the process? I didn't watch the whole thing but that guy who had "Object" on repeat would get chucked out in Australia I'm sure.

[Generation ABXY]

Yep, that's pretty damn silly. Unfortunately, there's not much I can't say that about in our current political climate (and, of course, it doesn't help that half their damn time is spent making such pointless speeches and thanking everyone who ever set foot on the planet).

[Slack3r78]

Shouldn't the speaker have the right to throw out those who are disrupting the process? I didn't watch the whole thing but that guy who had "Object" on repeat would get chucked out in Australia I'm sure.

He was trying to ensure that the Republicans couldn't complain that the Democrats were 'abusing' their majority to lock the Republicans out. Frankly, I'm of the opinion that that's exactly what needs to happen at this point. If GOP lawmakers can't behave like adults, then trying to take their opinions into account is a total waste of time.

If they were making any kind of genuine attempt to cooperate and reach an amicable compromise, I'd be the first to say that they should have their say. With the way they've been acting for the past 6 months (and only getting worse)? Fuck'em. Lock them out.

[DoctorFinger]

The GOP was being childish? Pelosi announced that any Dem who wanted to could come up and speak for as long as they wanted, but when they're done debate would be closed and no GOPers would be allowed to come to the podium. Which side sounds more childish there?

[Shrinn]

This is the problem with a two party system. It's us vs them.

What the fuck does unanimous consent mean? 100% of them vote to do something? That would never happen.

[Ancalagon]

Utterly pathetic. Is this what politics has come to? Everyone who did that should be ashamed. I've seen 5 year olds, seriously, 5 year olds with better manners.

The Speaker should have had them all removed. Or stipulated that an object may only be heard after the current speaker has said their part. That what, the GOP can still be heard, but without interrupting the Dems.

[Mike Kelehan]

We need to start cutting peoples' mics. You've got a set amount of time, and you can choose to yield it to someone else, but when you're time's up, you shut up. Give them a visual countdown, like presidential candidates do during debates, so they don't get cut off mid sentence.

[pomeroy]

We need to start cutting peoples' mics. You've got a set amount of time, and you can choose to yield it to someone else, but when you're time's up, you shut up. Give them a visual countdown, like presidential candidates do during debates, so they don't get cut off mid sentence.

And they could have "play them off" music, like at award shows.

[Generation ABXY]

Give them a visual countdown, like presidential candidates do during debates, so they don't get cut off mid sentence.

Not that that actually works. I like the idea of just cutting their mics or playing them off loudly...actually, could we get some of those guys to just hook 'em with the giant canes?

[Vulture]

embarrassing

[BlackPete]

I've met 4 year olds who were far more mature than that.

As an aside, I found this chart to be interesting (http://www.opensecrets.org/news/2009/06/-name-office-party-health.html). Not sure if it means anything, but still very interesting.

[Dorkandproudofit]

The saddest thing? Someone actually voted these douchebags into office.

[Generation ABXY]

As an aside, I found this chart to be interesting (http://www.opensecrets.org/news/2009/06/-name-office-party-health.html). Not sure if it means anything, but still very interesting.

So Obama tops the list for all of 'em? Guess I'm going to lean more towards, it doesn't mean anything...

Also, how do you have negative campaign contributions?

[Zero]

I've met 4 year olds who were far more mature than that.

As an aside, I found this chart to be interesting (http://www.opensecrets.org/news/2009/06/-name-office-party-health.html). Not sure if it means anything, but still very interesting.

Pomeroy, Earl House D $1,446,549 $620,804 $130,999 $806,06 $163,716 $140,500

:eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek:

[TheEpicOfTyler]

What a bunch of fucking children.

[Widgetcraft]

The saddest thing? Someone actually voted these douchebags into office.

The people who voted for them probably love this kind of shit. They probably just won their next election.

[Narradisall]

I hate politics sometimes.

That is just pathetic and no way to act in a debate.

What the hell was the speaker doing?

[Deadend]

Dems are being a bit of dicks throwing their numbers around.. and the Republican's solution is to lower the level of discourse to 'interrupting cow' levels. Even though it's not like they want a debate.. they just want the Dems to fail.

[Voodoo]

After reviewing this video, I believe a revision of parliamentary procedure @ the House is in order. When I've been part of such processes (on a smaller scale) you were unable to act in such way ("I Object, I Object, I Object...") without being lead out of the hall by the Sergeant At Arms.

[CappinCanuck]

Dems are being a bit of dicks throwing their numbers around.. and the Republican's solution is to lower the level of discourse to 'interrupting cow' levels. Even though it's not like they want a debate.. they just want the Dems to fail.

I wish they would argue on merits. Instead of opposing everything and doing it in the most ridiculous ways, agree and work with the Dems to improve positive innovations.

Healthcare needs reform, god does it ever. Don't oppose it because you're unsure whether it will be the best option or not. Agree that reform is needed and work on the reform together. I see more collaborative policy-making on the board of our local community centre.

I have seen some pretty embarrassing shit in the Canadian parliament, that made my Canadian pride shrink and wither. This however, is embarrassing just by association to my fellow North Americans heh. It's been happening a lot though I've noticed. I cringed during the interruptions at the State of the Union. Screw the apology, that guy needed to get the boot from office for conduct unbecoming.

[Generation ABXY]

Screw the apology, that guy needed to get the boot from office for conduct unbecoming.

Unfortunately, it's conduct very becoming - politicians act like that (and this) all of the time, and have for years. :(

[CappinCanuck]

Unfortunately, it's conduct very becoming - politicians act like that (and this) all of the time, and have for years. :(

True, but that doesn't mean it's too late to change it, or that any new infractions shouldn't be help to a standard of rational normalcy. I get your point though, these were examples of, at worst, slight oversteps, or not at all, of normalcy for those forums or most legislative and political bodies.

[Shrinn]

After reviewing this video, I believe a revision of parliamentary procedure @ the House is in order. When I've been part of such processes (on a smaller scale) you were unable to act in such way ("I Object, I Object, I Object...") without being lead out of the hall by the Sergeant At Arms.

That was my first reaction.

My Student Government in college would have you removed from office if you acted like that, let alone removed from the meeting. Why can they run so rampant? Ridiculous.

[Ultima Thulian]

Uh...it's been this way for years. Years.

Darth Vader was Luke's father too. Soylent Green is people. Etc.

[Superman's Dead]

Uh...it's been this way for years. Years.

Darth Vader was Luke's father too. Soylent Green is people. Etc.

Yeah, but in the old days Sam Houston would track you down and beat the shit out of you.

[Ultima Thulian]

True.

If you kids think this shit is nuts, study up on congress during the Civil War era. Holy shit, it was a fucking madhouse! Instead of constantly saying, "I object" over and over again, some Senators were prone to beat their "colleagues" with a cane.

[Dorkandproudofit]

True.

If you kids think this shit is nuts, study up on congress during the Civil War era. Holy shit, it was a fucking madhouse! Instead of constantly saying, "I object" over and over again, some Senators were prone to beat their "colleagues" with a cane.

Ah, yes, the infamous "Sumner Caning" incident. For those here who are not familiar with the story, Charles Sumner, an Anti-slavery Senator, gave a severe tongue-lashing to a fellow senator who supported slavery. The guy's nephew ended up breaking into the senate chambers a few days later and beat Sumner over the head with a cane until Sumner's head nearly caved in and the cane itself broke. Sumner somehow survived (barely), and the guy who caned him got fan mail from pro-slavery people, including gifts of flowers and canes, and notes saying things like "Hit him again!"

Compared to that, the "I object" thing is a friendly chat!

[Shamrock Jimmy]

Ah, yes, the infamous "Sumner Caning" incident. For those here who are not familiar with the story, Charles Sumner, an Anti-slavery Senator, gave a severe tongue-lashing to a fellow senator who supported slavery. The guy's nephew ended up breaking into the senate chambers a few days later and beat Sumner over the head with a cane until Sumner's head nearly caved in and the cane itself broke. Sumner somehow survived (barely), and the guy who caned him got fan mail from pro-slavery people, including gifts of flowers and canes, and notes saying things like "Hit him again!"

Compared to that, the "I object" thing is a friendly chat!

I don't know, at least the guy waited until after he said what he wanted to say before nearly beating him to death, the "I object" shit is just disruptive.

[alienmastermind]

I wish they would argue on merits. Instead of opposing everything and doing it in the most ridiculous ways, agree and work with the Dems to improve positive innovations.

Healthcare needs reform, god does it ever. Don't oppose it because you're unsure whether it will be the best option or not. Agree that reform is needed and work on the reform together. I see more collaborative policy-making on the board of our local community centre.

I have seen some pretty embarrassing shit in the Canadian parliament, that made my Canadian pride shrink and wither. This however, is embarrassing just by association to my fellow North Americans heh. It's been happening a lot though I've noticed. I cringed during the interruptions at the State of the Union. Screw the apology, that guy needed to get the boot from office for conduct unbecoming.


God you're SO Canadian. :)

And I agree with you.

[alienmastermind]

Ah, yes, the infamous "Sumner Caning" incident. For those here who are not familiar with the story, Charles Sumner, an Anti-slavery Senator, gave a severe tongue-lashing to a fellow senator who supported slavery. The guy's nephew ended up breaking into the senate chambers a few days later and beat Sumner over the head with a cane until Sumner's head nearly caved in and the cane itself broke. Sumner somehow survived (barely), and the guy who caned him got fan mail from pro-slavery people, including gifts of flowers and canes, and notes saying things like "Hit him again!"

Compared to that, the "I object" thing is a friendly chat!

But saying that the Sumner thing was worse, doesn't make this behavior good or acceptable, right?

[alienmastermind]

I've met 4 year olds who were far more mature than that.

As an aside, I found this chart to be interesting (http://www.opensecrets.org/news/2009/06/-name-office-party-health.html). Not sure if it means anything, but still very interesting.

The raw data is enlightening, and it also points to the fallacy of the debate, a little.

My issues are with the services the insurance companies provide versus the cost. Not the quality of healthcare.

Pharmeceutical companies also have a sweetheart deal, and if you look at these guys Obama got the most money, which stands to reason. You don't stop trying to influence a man because he's the President, right?

But if you look from the top, both parties are bought and paid for to some degree, but the loudest folks seem to have pockets that jingle jangle jingle.

Great Link!