From Think Progress (08/01/2008):
House conservatives engaged in political theater today, storming the floor after Congress was adjourned “to attack Democrats for leaving town without doing something to lower gas prices.” Politico reports, “At one point, the lights went off in the House and the microphones were turned off in the chamber, meaning Republicans were talking in the dark.”
“Bring the Congress back. Let’s have a real up or down vote,” House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-OH) proclaimed. In fact, there was a real up or down vote on gas prices just two days before. And Boehner is well aware of it because he was responsible for ensuring it didn’t pass.
Boehner strong-armed his own conservative members to ensure a bill didn’t pass because he wanted to engage in today’s political theatrics. After killing a bill that would have addressed gas prices, House conservatives have decided they want to blow hot air in the dark.
Rep. Adam Putnam (R-FL) said, “This band of brothers here is staying late to make a point to the American people: We want to work.” His colleagues then chanted: “Work, work, work.” Putnam has quickly forgotten the conservatives’ record of leading the Do Nothing Congress in 2006.
Band of brothers? 🙄 This little $hithead is 33 years old. If he really wants to be in a “band of brothers” then why hasn’t he enlisted?
Rep. Tom Price (R-GA) finally brought the six-hour talk-a-thon to a conclusion today by leading the group in an a capella rendition of “God Bless America.”
From Think Progress (08/04/2008):
Last Friday, they stormed the floor after Congress adjourned “to attack Democrats for leaving town without doing something to lower gas prices.” Today, Rep. Steve King (R-IA) brought to the floor a “large garish photo” of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) with the words, “I am trying to save the planet” written beneath it.
Here’s are some of the très dramatic lines these bozos came up with for their little theater of the absurd:
– “Today is the 2008 version of the Boston Tea Party.” [Rep. John Shadegg (R-AZ), 8/1/08]
– “Without your help we won’t be able to do anything…like the founders of this country we’re going directly to the American people.” [Rep. Tim (sic) Price (R-GA), 8/4/08]
– “Tell your congressman- we don’t want you back home. We want you in Washington. This could be America’s greatest hour. Insist that we come back to vote.” [Rep. Don Manzullo (R-IL), 8/4/08]
From The Hill:
The White House has rejected calls from House Republicans that it convene a special session of Congress on energy, saying it wouldn’t make a difference.
“We don’t have plans to call Congress into session — it won’t make a difference if Democratic leaders are unwilling to bring up a bill for an up-down vote,” said White House spokesman Tony Fratto.
…snip…
A spokesman for Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) said McCain supported bringing Congress back into session to address energy issues.
Oh really, Captain Underpants? This from a guy who hasn’t cast a vote in the Senate since April 8th? But let’s continue…
About 20 House Republicans re-launched their floor action after a short press conference where no questions were taken. The speeches to visitors and staff in the House gallery began at about 10 a.m. Monday.
In an attempt to build momentum and steer more listeners into the chamber, GOP leadership staff sent e-mails to colleagues encouraging them to bring their tours to view the protest.
…snip…
Members said they planned to continue their floor action through this week and possibly through the month, depending on member participation.
Rep. Tom Price (R-Ga.) officiated over the parade of members and encouraged listeners to call the Capitol switchboard and ask to speak to Pelosi’s office.
No members of the GOP leadership attended Monday’s demonstration, but Minority Whip Roy Blunt (R-Mo.) will attend the protest on Wednesday and Thursday, according to his office. Minority Leader John Boehner’s (R-Ohio) staff indicated he would try to attend at the end of the week despite a flurry of campaign appearances across the country.
Chief Deputy Whip Eric Cantor (R-Va.) will also return to speak during the week.
HYSTERICAL RAISINS 
I love the smell of deperation in the morning. It smells like… victory.
jeb,
never overestimate the american voter or the ability for rethugs to screw up voting machines and voter rolls.
I wanted to let you know that while I read away on your things, I generally leave commenting alone as I am afraid to try to match parody and sarcasm with yourself.
I do enjoy.
Keep it up.
that’s so sweet, marc! i am very glad that you decided to leave a comment. no need to be shy. i hope you will comment often. 😀
I wonder if old Boo-Hoo burst into tears when the lights went out? I bet he’s afraid of the dark, even when he knows it’s coming…..
gotta,
wouldn’t it be ironic if boo-hoo was crying, because he was afraid of the dark, when, all of a sudden, the power goes back on, and his tears hit the microphone, and he gets a huge shock? of course, it would not be as big a jolt as those that are killing our soldiers in kbr-built showers. you know kbr, one of the rethugs’ favorite companies that they love to give truckfuls of money to.
Mystery Science Theater! Yay! Some of sarcasm’s best times! nonnie, the line “Is he crying?” knocked my socks off! And, gotta, you continue to crack me up.
Oh-oh! Did you heard that siren? It’s the grammar police come to get me for writing two (count ’em – TWO) sentences in a row that end in prepositions!
marc, you should come out and play with the other raisins! After all, no one else here can match wits with nonnie, either. nonnie RULES!
nightowl,
i figured that the raisinettes would like that is he crying line. i constantly end sentences with prepositions when i know i shouldn’t (i did it in my comment to gotta). the way to fix that is as follows:
incorrect: mr. boehner, what a dilemma you are in!
correct: mr. boehner, what a dilemma you are in, a$$hole!
🙂 Just like my favorite line from Designing Women after a snooty Yankee “called” one of them on a dangling preposition:
“Oh, I’m sorry. Where yawl from, b*tch?”
in cheers, too:
not sure if that is an exact quote, but it is the only one i found. i don’t remember him calling her mallethead, but maybe it’s correct. if not exact, it’s close.
Smile…
great details, nonnie.
colbert had a funny skit of the repubs stumbling around in the dark house chambers.
nonnie, aug 6 is the anniversary of the crandall canyon mine, which also killed 3 would-be rescuers ten days later. if you have any pix of elaine chao, rickard stickler, etc., behind bars, it would do my heart some good.
i published a diary early this morning.
jenn,
i saw that. i watch colbert every night.
i will have to do some research about stickler. i don’t know if there are usable pics or not. not sure if i should even attempt parodying such a sad subject. it is so heartbreaking. i did edit your comment and linked to your diary so everyone here can click over, read it, and remember the poor miners who lost their lives and the families who can’t even give them proper burials.
Love your blog. Here is the text of the email/posting that I put on my campaign site. With the help of you and your readers, we can remove Mr. Putnam from office — for good. Keep pressing the fight!
*****
Adam Putnam – In His Own Words
Friends,
As they do every August, the House adjourned today for a five-week period. This allows the members to go home to campaign. The House does this every year, including each of the eight Augusts that Adam Putnam has been in office, including the six years he was in the majority.
To try to make a political point, Congressman Putnam and 24 other Republicans stayed in the Chamber after adjournment. In his own words, he said ““This band of brothers here is staying late to make a point to the American people: We want to work.”
Maybe I’m just too close to this campaign right now, but I take issue with this non-veteran using military terms while pulling a political stunt. As I said in my previous post, the Republicans were the majority in the House for 12 years, and Congressman Putnam was in office for 6 of those years. They did not have an energy policy during that period, with the exception of ensuring billions of dollars in tax give-aways was routed to Big Oil. Big Oil returned the favor, though, having given Mr. Putnam $70,000 throughout his career.
Band of Brothers??? Hardly! Instead of that misnomer, I believe a better name is “Gallery of Rogues.”
Hurry home, Congressman! You’re in the race of your career, and you don’t even realize it!
TeamTudor, Let’s ensure that this race is Mr. Putnam’s last. Contribute Now at http://www.teamtudor.org I appreciate you!
Your brother, Doug
Nonnie! I paraphrase one of the great movie quotes of all time, and you dare piddle all over it?!
Number 5 to you ma’am. I say number 5 to you!
Good Day!
hello doug tudor!
welcome to the raisin. 😀
if you want an illustration of a rubberstamp chimpy republican, you need look no further than a photo of adam putnam. he’s a sniveling little weasel, and i cannot for the life of me understand how anyone would vote for him. the nicest thing i can say about him is that he’s stupid.
it is not just a platitude when i say that i wish you the best of luck in this coming election. i live in floriduhhhh (but not in your district), and i sincerely hope that you will be taking a seat in congress in january! in that spirit, i just made a donation to your campaign over at act blue.
jeb,
please forgive me! i promise never to piddle on anything you say again. let’s behave ourselves! never know when a future congressman might be around! 😉
Doug, good luck with your campaign!
nonnie, thanks for the link to jenn’s diary.
jeb and nonnie, would you two quit piddling around, please?
nonnie, what happened to our avatars? Now that I actually have one, I feel compelled to ask!
i don’t know what happened to the avatars. must be something gumming up the works at wordpress.
Sigh… I feel like Charlie Brown…
What, we have a future Congressman hanging around here. Well, this place is getting on board a handbasket! I thought there were standards on this blog.
Doug, do not fear Nonnie. That’s actually a water gun she’s holding.
jeb!
how many times have i told you not to tell people that’s a water gun! how do you expect me to keep things under control now?
Love the MST 3000 poster. We want to work? More like the old Firesign line: Harder work, and more of it! Shoes for Industry.
you’ll find at least one other mst3000 poster here (there might be 2 others, i’ll have to check). i wish there were more to choose from, because i like using them.