44 - Rand Paul lone dissenter in laser-pointer vote

44 - Rand Paul lone dissenter in laser-pointer vote:

"Kentucky Republican Sen. Rand Paul was the sole 'no' vote Thursday night on a measure that would make it a federal crime to aim a handheld laser pointer at an aircraft."

How odd that an ophthalmologist would vote against a law that would reduce his potential patient pool...

SOS Scott Gessler will not moonlight | Colorado Independent

SOS Scott Gessler will not moonlight | Colorado Independent

This is the only reasonable outcome to this weird situation. SOS Gessler, having annoyed thousands of Coloradans who don't have a first job, apparently decided the prudent course is to do the job he so energetically sought. Good for him, and congratulations on doing the right thing.

But this episode also highlighted a peculiarity of government relationships. As Attorney General, John Suthers advised SOS Gessler on his plans to moonlight. Because Suthers was acting as attorney for the state government his advice fell under the attorney-client privilege, and thus the voters are not allowed to know what that advice involved.

I think that's unfortunate and I would like to see an exception to the privilege legislated. If one of my elected officials is officially advising another of my elected officials on proper behavior I can think of no one with a more vested interest in those discussions than citizens. Inasmuch as those discussions and that advice materially affect Colorado's citizens I think we should have a right to hear them.

Let's put the "public" back into "public servant."

Rand Paul & Transparency

Jim DeMint's Tea Party Caucus lets activists drive the GOP further to the right. - By David Weigel - Slate Magazine: "What made this caucus different from all other caucuses?
'No cigars and no closed doors,' said Paul. 'Open venues. I'm not going to be the leader of the caucus. We're going to rotate around. It's going to be a continued conversation between the grass roots and the people who come from the grass roots.'"

So says Rand Paul when asked about his Tea Party caucus. But when it comes to secret holds, that arcane Senate rule that allowed one Senator to secretly block passage of a bill, well, suddenly the transparency becomes opaque.

Tea Party Caucus votes to keep secret holds

By Jordan Fabian - 01/27/11 05:43 PM ET

The three founding members of the Senate Tea Party Caucus voted against a rule change Thursday that would end senators' ability to use secret holds.

Sens. Jim DeMint (R-S.C.), Rand Paul (R-Ky.) and Mike Lee (R-Utah) were three out of the four senators to vote against a resolution outlawing the practice. The other was GOP Sen. John Ensign (Nev.). The rule change, which passed 92-4, was part of a packaged rules proposal brought before the Senate.

GOP Healthcare Repeal Bill Passes in House | Christianpost.com

GOP Healthcare Repeal Bill Passes in House | Christianpost.com: "The Republican-controlled House voted overwhelming to pass a repeal health care legislation proposed by President Barack Obama."

You have to love the Christian Post: they support home schooled writers. Who knew Obama supported the legislation to repeal the Affordable Care Act?

Supreme Court Denies Pastor's Appeal in DC Gay Marriage Case | Christianpost.com

Supreme Court Denies Pastor's Appeal in DC Gay Marriage Case | Christianpost.com: "The question is whether marriage is merely a committed relationship for the private interests of adults, the definition implicit in same-sex 'marriage,' or whether it unites a man and a woman with each other and any children that come from their union.”"

It can't be both?

Well, at any rate, if it's the man-woman-children aspect these Christian busybodies are concerned over maybe cutting the rate of divorce in the Bible Belt would be a good place to start.

Wild Wild West: Guns Still a Part of Arizona's History - US - CBN News - Christian News 24-7 - CBN.com

Wild Wild West: Guns Still a Part of Arizona's History - US - CBN News - Christian News 24-7 - CBN.com: "Guns are ingrained in America's history, especially in Arizona, which was once home to the Wild Wild West.

Saloons, stagecoaches and shoot-outs all played an important part in Arizona's long history, and that's why even today you'll find the ethos of the Wild West permeates their culture."

Yeah, and Christians have a long history of burning witches and owning slaves - your point is?

Why Tea Party Activists Are Childish Dickwads

Tea Party Activists Angry at Actions of G.O.P. Leaders - NYTimes.com:

"“Do I think that they’ve recognized what happened on Election Day? I would say decisively no,” said Mark Meckler, a co-founder of Tea Party Patriots, which sent its members an alert last month urging them to call their representatives to urge them to “stop now and go home!!”

“We sent them a message that we expect them to go home and come back newly constituted and do something different,” Mr. Meckler said. “For them to legislate when they’ve collectively lost their mandate just shows the arrogance of the ruling elite."

Let me get this straight: Tea Partier Mark Meckler, an unelected leader of a "movement" that has yet to field a candidate or run a campaign, accuses a legally elected Congress of acting in "arrogance" when it continues to legislate through the end of its legally-appointed session.

See, here's the thing, Mr. Meckler. When you have the votes you get to do a lot of things the people without the votes don't like. Standing on the sidelines whining won't change that.