Tuesday, May 09, 2006

Whatcha doin'?

Tough work, if you can get it . . . . .

Chairman Tom Davis, R-Va., noted that lawmakers were missing the groundbreaking ceremony for the Washington Nationals' new ballpark. "Some of us have passed up the opportunity to be there to conduct the people's business," he said.

The people needed the committee to approve H. Res. 753, commending "American craft brewers," and H. Con. Res. 399, recognizing "the 30th anniversary of the victory of United States winemakers at the 1976 Paris Wine Tasting."

Before the lawmakers could adjourn, the people demanded that they name four post offices and declare Congress' support for "the goals and ideals of National Passport Month" (H. Res. 327), "National Tourism Week" (H. Res. 729) and "National Children and Families Day" (H. Res. 763).

The committee's ranking Democrat, Henry Waxman, of California, said all these measures will "give us some opportunity on the House floor to do some business in a session that has been noted for the very few bills that have really been considered in the short period of time in which members have been required to actually work."

That was low — but fairly accurate. If the current lethargy continues, Congress this year will do even less than Harry Truman's famous "do-nothing" Congress of 1947-48.

Pointing to the future

Sticking it to Congesswoman Lovejoy today. ProgressNow has a post up on Angie Paccione's stem cell research resolution:
It's too bad when the Colorado legislature has to resort to resolutions to shame the federal legislature into doing its job.

Good on ya, Angie Paccione.
Word up. The Coloradoan reports that Angie pushed through a bill supporting Congresswoman DeGette's commonsense research bill.

The U.S. Senate is taking too much time getting around to the legislation, Paccione said.

"The current lines for stem-cell research are not enough to conduct the kind of research and reach the kind of conclusions about the successful use of these stem cells in treatment and in cures," Paccione said.

"The issue is about using the modern technology and really affirming that these new technologies can help with diseases that we thought were out of reach."

Wind-up tool Guy Short's got compassion coming out of every orifice:

"The congresswoman thinks it's important to spend money where success is actually achievable," Short said. "Miss Paccione shows an incredible lack of compassion and a real misunderstanding of life-saving science when she purposely omits adult stem-cell research from the resolution."

According to John Sladeck, vice chancellor of research at the University of Colorado for Health Sciences Center, embryonic stem cells are the cell choice for biomedical scientists with respect to curing diabetes, Alzheimer's, spinal cord injuries, etc.

"There's more potential for embryonic stem cells to cure a large number of diseases," Sladeck said.

As if Congresswoman Lovejoy could come up with a halfway coherent sentence about any of this.

Monday, May 08, 2006

Netroots for Angie

At both Daily Kos and Swing State Project, DavidNYC is looking for candidates the netroots needs to get behind. Lots of folks are already pulling for Angie. You too?

Bringing sanity to Colorado CD-4

The Denver Post this morning is profiling the race for Musgrave's seat, and show just how in play the district is.

After she dispatched Stan Matsunaka in a close race in 2004, the question is whether Musgrave can hold on to a district that has been Republican since Democrat Wayne Aspinall bowed out in the early 1970s.

The prospects of a third- party candidate - once a Republican - capturing moderate conservative votes could work against Musgrave.


Musgrave's got a lot of DeLay money in the bank, but it's an uphill climb, folks.

So are Paccione and Musgrave, who are already giving voters a taste of what's to come. Last month, a feisty Paccione issued a challenge to Musgrave to a debate, "anytime, anywhere."

A look at Paccione's campaign website shows a string of news releases critical of Musgrave's voting record and allegations that the congresswoman has been conducting a "baseless smear" campaign against the challenger.

"Marilyn has absolutely no ethical compass," Paccione is quoted as saying in a news release on her website.

And as summer approaches, things will only heat up.

"As a former athlete, Paccione will be persistent; she has learned not to give up because she is behind in the game, so to speak," said Steve Mazurana, a University of Northern Colorado political science professor.


Damn straight.