In D.C., compromise is a dirty word (and should be)
By Dana Milbank, WashPost, Published: October 1
On Day One of the government shutdown, House Chaplain Patrick Conroy opened the chamber’s session with a plea for compassion.
“This is a painful day for many across our land,” the Jesuit priest said. “May those who possess power here in the Capitol be mindful of those they represent who possess little or no power and whose lives are made even more difficult by a failure to work out serious differences.”
“Amen!” Rep. Janice Hahn, a California Democrat, shouted from the front row.
But Conroy’s prayer was not to be answered Tuesday, as lawmakers on both sides of the Capitol did little other than trade blame and invective. Mindfulness was not in evidence.
Even as he prayed on the House floor, the priest was interrupted by a musical cellphone ring from the pocket of Rep. Frank Wolf (R-Va.). Already, Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-Minn.) had injected racially charged imagery into the standoff, telling a far-right Web site that “President Obama can’t wait to get Americans addicted to the crack cocaine of dependency on more government health care.”
(More here.)
On Day One of the government shutdown, House Chaplain Patrick Conroy opened the chamber’s session with a plea for compassion.
“This is a painful day for many across our land,” the Jesuit priest said. “May those who possess power here in the Capitol be mindful of those they represent who possess little or no power and whose lives are made even more difficult by a failure to work out serious differences.”
“Amen!” Rep. Janice Hahn, a California Democrat, shouted from the front row.
But Conroy’s prayer was not to be answered Tuesday, as lawmakers on both sides of the Capitol did little other than trade blame and invective. Mindfulness was not in evidence.
Even as he prayed on the House floor, the priest was interrupted by a musical cellphone ring from the pocket of Rep. Frank Wolf (R-Va.). Already, Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-Minn.) had injected racially charged imagery into the standoff, telling a far-right Web site that “President Obama can’t wait to get Americans addicted to the crack cocaine of dependency on more government health care.”
(More here.)
Powered by Blogger
4 Comments:
Bringing race into every discussion is laughable. Bachmann, while not my favorite politician, was loosely repeating what was originally stated by a left side of the aisle hero. False charges of racism does not help anything.
Well said. Shame on Bachman for repeating such racially charged nonsense.
Dear Anonymous - thank to the GOP our country passed Civil Rights legislation several decades ago. Move on.
Are you referring to the Civil Rights Act of 1964? Which was passed by a Dem controlled congress and white house? I'm glad you brought that up as it is a perfect example of the compromise that should happen.
The Southern Dems played the part of today's Tea Party blocking progress by opposing sensible legislation. If the H.R. used the "Hastert" rule then, this legislation wouldn't have passed. BTW, this passed with more D votes than R votes in both houses.
Post a Comment
<< Home