The University of Congress

[H2O Man]

" (There is a) powerof the Congress to inquire into and publicize corruption, maladministration, or inefficiency in agencies of the Government. That was the only kind of activity described by Woodrow Wilson in 'Congressional Givernment' when he wrote: 'The informing function of Congress should be preferred even to its legislative function'."
-- U.S. Supreme Court; Watkins v. United States


One of the most important things that came out of the Senate Watergate investigation is their final report. The above quote is from page 40 of the 2005 fromthe Carroll & Graf edition. On the same page, there is a quote from another US Supreme Court decision that further quotes Wilson in advocating for the power of the Congress -- both the House and Senate -- to investigate issues and educate the public.

Obviously, the January 6 Committee is doing a great job of this. And I think it is inspiring a lot of us in the context of knowing how important winning in November is. Being old, I can say it is inspiring my generation, who watched the televised Watergate hearings. I've been talking with old friends and associates from that bygone era, who were more socially and politically active back then, but who usually limit themselves to just voting in recent decades. And they are all saying that they recognize that it is essential for everyone to do more now.

I also had a long talk with the campaign manager of the Democratic candidate in my district in rural, upstate New York. He is, in my opinion, the perfect candidate for this district. Though we are outnumbered by both republicans and independents around here, I am confident that he will get some republican botes, and a lot of independents.That's how a Democrat wins in these parts.

Educating the public isn't limited to committees. Individual Representatives do this with e-mails and mailings, and meeting the public in town halls. More, they do this when they are interviewed on television. However, there is something particularly powerful found when a group puts their minds and talents together to educate the public in the manner the J6 Committee is doing now. We are witnessing history.

I respect what every member of the Committee is doing. There is balance in their approach. Yet I will say there is one member -- quiet so far -- that I am particularly eager to hear interviewing witnesses when her turn come, and that is Rep. Stephanie Murphy. I think that those who have heard this lady speak know what I mean. After serving in national security, she opted to challenge a republican in 2016, and has earned the respect of everyone around her.

Perhaps one of the most important lessons of the J6 hearings is that we have to work together to save this country. Now, anyone who knows me knows that I'm on the left edge of the Democratic Party spectrum. I recognize that my opinions are not in the majority on a number of issues. My favorite elected representatives are known as "the Squad," and are the six most progressive members of the House. But I'm delighted to work for the campaign of the liberal congressional candidate in my district. I will serve as the campaign's connection to the Left.

More, although Rep. Murphy identifies as a "blue dog," I have great respect for her. It's important to recognize what type of candidate can win in a congressional district. And, for more extreme examples, though I have little if anything else in common with them, I respect Liz Cheney, Adam Kinzinger, and Cassidy Hutchinson for the roles they are playing in educating the American public on the attempt to overthrow our elected government.

[Ohio Joe]

1. Interesting...

I'm forever finding there are more member of our party that I simply do not know enough... And sometimes nothing, about. Rep. Murphy is one I know little about so I look forward to seeing her take the center spot in questioning... I believe all member will be getting a turn:

"Over the next few weeks, hopefully you will get to know the other members, my colleagues up here, and me. We represent a diversity of communities from all over the United States, rural areas and cities, East Coast, West Coast and the heartland. All of us have one thing in common. We swore the same oath, that same old that all members of Congress take up on taking office and, afterwards, every two years if they are reelected. We swore an oath to defend the Constitution against all enemies, foreign and domestic. The words of the current oath taken by all of us, that nearly every United States government employee takes, have their roots in the Civil War."

~ Bennie Thompson - The start of the first hearing - https://www.npr.org/2022/06/10/1104156949/jan-6-committee-hearing-transcript

For a primer, I'm starting some reading on Rep. Murphy with these links:

https://murphy.house.gov/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stephanie_Murphy
https://www.congress.gov/member/stephanie-murphy/M001202
https://www.stephaniemurphyfl.com/

Another great write up H2O Man, thanks

[H2O Man]

3. Thank you!

I find Rep. Murphy extremely impressive. I really think that once she is seen questioning witnesses, she will become a national figure, and one of the strongest voices in the Democratic Party. Just my opinion, but I have a very high opinion of her.

[Baitball Blogger]

2. Stephanie Murphy isn't running for another term.

I hardly knew ye. Maybe because she's a blue dog, she didn't resonate with me until this last term when she got more national exposure.

[H2O Man]

5. Thanks (i didn't know that)

Perhaps she will run for some other office. Or serve in an administration.

I'm not big on the "blue dogs" generally speaking. But at certain times, someone like her gets my respect when they step up to the plate.

[Baitball Blogger]

10. I know what "blue dogs" means in Central Florida.

And that's all I'll say about that.

But, yes, she does seem like she's a cut above the usual egotistical local politicians that think that they should have the right to profit from their government jobs.

[H2O Man]

12. I agree.

I think her life experience has produced the person she is today.

[Baitball Blogger]

15. If she even has a hint of progressive in her, I would love to follow what she's going to

do next.

But, I am a bit soured on a past experience. We had a very corrupt Mayor who called himself a liberal. And by liberal, I think he thought "liberal" meant liberal with the rules. His good buddy crony lived in my community and the crony was 100% fraudulently leading us through meetings in City Hall, denying us critical information that would have affirmed our rights in a land development issue. I was one of the few asking the right questions, so I got a phone call by the Mayor, asking me what I wanted. Do you get it?

I was so shocked that this is how it worked in America. Phone calls. I was so stunned all I could do was blurt out, "You shouldn't be calling me." The one thing I remember he said before he hung up was, "I have a right to make a living."

So, you see, I know how it works in Central Florida. Including the part where you run around with your hair on fire, contacting every legal agency you can think of, including the FBI corruption department, and their inaction sealed the deal.

The good ole boys and the backwater business circles own everything that goes on around here. Until we get a real criminal justice agency cleaning up the place, it won't change.

So, back to Stephanie Murphy. I can certainly understand why she would step down to spend more time with her young family. She probably has received more than her fair share of improper phone calls. When my kids made it into high school, I shut down. I knew by then, what the good buddies were capable of doing around here. And, since my daughter was on a soccer team, where some of the other players were daughters of some of the most locally politically connected people, that whole high school experience, as a parent, was denied to me. Every day meant facing constant anxiety.

And I end with a huge, FUCK YOU to the FBI.

[spanone]

4. ...K&R...

[H2O Man]

7. Thanks!

[mopinko]

6. have to admit i would like to see kinzinger run statewide.

not sure i'd vote for him, but illinois has had some fine senators from that party and i'm sure he wouldnt embarrass me.

[H2O Man]

8. Right.

I have to wonder if this experience might make him less infected with republican party politics. Probably not. Liz Cheney will continue to be Liz Cheney, I suspect. But I do respect that these two are showing that the parties can work together.

[mopinko]

9. i think he sees the larger hypocrisies.

like what a shitty definition of 'pro-life' these idiots subscribe to.
like the importance of the church/state wall.

he might even smell that planet burning, i dunno.

[H2O Man]

13. Yes.

He seems intelligent and aware .... which gives me hope that he will evolve. I always keep in mind RFK, who was really a prick in his formative years in DC. The Civil Rights struggle, then the death of JFK, resulted in the Robert that so many of us respecte, even loved.

[2naSalit]

11. K&R

[H2O Man]

14. Thank you!