McConnell chosen by Republicans as majority leader

[Omaha Steve]

Source: AP-EXCITE

By ANDREW TAYLOR

WASHINGTON (AP) — Sen. Mitch McConnell of Kentucky won election by fellow Republicans on Thursday to become Senate majority leader when the new Congress convenes in January, fulfilling a long-held ambition.

A Senate Republican official said McConnell, 72 was chosen by acclamation at a closed-door meeting of the rank and file.

As majority leader, McConnell will set the Senate's agenda. Along with House Speaker John Boehner, he will decide what legislation is sent to the White House in the final two years of President Barack Obama's term.

McConnell was elected to a sixth Senate term last week in elections in which Republicans gained a majority for the first time in eight years.

FULL story at link.



In this photo taken Nov. 4, 2014, Louisiana Republican Senate candidate Rep. Bill Cassidy, R-La. speaks to supporters during his election night watch party in Baton Rouge, La. Republicans have promised Cassidy a seat on the Senate's energy committee if he defeats Sen. Mary Landrieu in the state's runoff election next month. The move undercuts one of Landrieu's chief campaign arguments, that voters in the state with a robust oil and gas industry need her and her seniority on the committee. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)


Read more: http://apnews.excite.com/article/20141113/us--congress-8fb93f4cc5.html

[ballyhoo]

1. When I see stuff like this, it makes me sad. I am old and

will not live to see another Democratic Congress and probably President for the remainder of my life. I look back at what could have been... The only thing that keeps it slightly bearable is that compared to the world I was born into this is an alien one I do not recognize as being for sentient human beings.

[Voice for Peace]

2. I know exactly what you mean.

And lately so much of the news is sad-making. I have to step
back a bit and remember that despite the state of the world,
and the horrific people in power on the planet, inside of me
is the source of peace, and real freedom, and I can feel happy
even in the midst of miseries all around. That trumps everything
else, the chance to feel happy, not dependent on the politics.

I believe these changes we all want to see in the world are
coming, and they are unstoppable, but they come slowly by
our time standards. The way the dawn sneaks up on us.
It is dark, but not completely dark. There are glimmers of
dawn, there is a big sun rising.

[ballyhoo]

5. Well, that is good for you... I am not there yet and

doubt I ever will be. I will not elaborate on what I see coming because it serves no purpose. I wish you well.

[Voice for Peace]

10. thank you for well-wishes.

At least entertain the possibility, maybe you will be
surprised, even if it's only for a moment. That kind of
happiness only comes one moment at a time anyhow.

Meanwhile I'll pin my political hopes on people like
Elizabeth. I think there is much good ahead. But it is
often the case that we only see what we are looking
for. Certainly we only see what we are looking at.
I find it's crucial for me to seek out the many good
things that are happening all around the world, the
hopeful energy of life, and the people who are working
with it. I will never stop being hopeful, it is the breath
I breathe, it is my will to live.

[ballyhoo]

15. I am glad you are where you are. I am jealous.

[Hortensis]

22. Oh, please. We all need to pull up our undies -- g-strings or Depends -- and wait our chance.

It's hard to see the big picture when one's nation's slopping around in the mud at the bottom of a hole it's dug itself into, but disasters ALWAYS cause reaction, learning and rebuilding. We're just temporarily disappointed because, as so many times before, we thought we'd already hit bottom.

In any case, resigning oneself to failure and despair might be perversely satisfying in some way, but it's certainly no more sensible or helpful than the indulgent ideologies that got us in this mess -- themselves defined by lack of belief that we can solve our problems, much less that we could have built on the nation we were given. If our grandparents could do it, we certainly can -- all over again, and even better.

I'm guessing you not only have a few more elections in you, but note that past choices are still making a difference. Obama's reaction to GOP threats of impeachment is to immediately enter into an historic climate agreement with China, promise immediate action on immigration, and announce that the internet needs to be considered and regulated as a utility. Good for you.

[ballyhoo]

24. Yeah, right.........

Number one: Obama's entry in the agreement with China is being laughed at all over the world. China doesn't even have to BEGIN to obey any of the stipulations until [font size=16] 2030 [/font].

Number two: Obama's action on immigration further employs Regression to Mean for the "least of these" in America--blacks, brown, and in-between. It will be an unmitigated disaster.

Number three: The Internet as a regulated utility will make it subject to government taxes and intervention by the government, which will pass even more information on to NSA and selected politicos.

And that's the name of that tune. Obama has been a disaster and will be a disaster for two more years. Will he be impeached? 40:60 yes. If he does the deportation pause (amnesty). 60:40 yes.

[Voice for Peace]

33. I just saw this on Facebook and I thought you might like it, from Howard Zinn:

It is a photo courtesy of Wishadoo

sorry I have to find a good link. can't find the wishadoo pic, but this is the quote:

“TO BE HOPEFUL in bad times is not just foolishly romantic. It is based on the fact that human history is a history not only of cruelty, but also of compassion, sacrifice, courage, kindness.

What we choose to emphasize in this complex history will determine our lives. If we see only the worst, it destroys our capacity to do something. If we remember those times and places—and there are so many—where people have behaved magnificently, this gives us the energy to act, and at least the possibility of sending this spinning top of a world in a different direction.

And if we do act, in however small a way, we don’t have to wait for some grand utopian future. The future is an infinite succession of presents, and to live now as we think human beings should live, in defiance of all that is bad around us, is itself a marvelous victory.”


― Howard Zinn

[RKP5637]

3. I know what you mean. In today's new world people are seen as in the way, obstacles or to

be used. In the world I grew up in it was the opposite. Certainly not perfect, but there was more interest in doing what was good for everyone than just those that have hijacked the country for their mutual greed. That said, I do agree also with post #2.

[ballyhoo]

9. There was an interest in "We the People", and that is what

keeps a country's eye on the dot. I really don't agree with post number two but I am glad that you do. Maybe if more people agree with a position based on hope we'll eventually do better. It will take a change at the top--and I don't mean the President. Thanks for your reply.

[rtracey]

14. I also know

I also know what you mean. This country will soon be handed to the iPad generation, and I hope they can do something with it. There are many in congress who have reached and have gone beyond retirement age and thought process...but when I look at the rest of this world, ok yes there are some areas, that seem to get it...Sweden, Finland, some other European countries, but when I look at the suffering in Iraq, Iran, Syria, Libya, most all African nations, I sometimes think...so big deal, congress raised my taxes by $3.00, or oh ok gasoline is now 3.50, not 3.35, or even oh great, Wegmens is out of my favorite brand of coffee again.....its like hmmmm wow, is it really going to be that bad here......not even, there will be no dooms day when the republicans take the senate....they wont hold it, so to my friend who says you are too old.....hang in for another 2 years, we'll be back.....hahha...

[Voice for Peace]

6. there's this..

but don't read the comments, they are cynical and
bleak.

Personally I think it's very good news and will be fun
to watch her.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10025811366

[ballyhoo]

13. That is excellent news in one respect but not so in another. It means

she definitely will not run for President (no time to campaign) and Hillary will be the next President. I hope Warren can turn some Democrat Heads toward real Democratic ideals.

[Voice for Peace]

16. Yes.. she has the smarts to reach people on both sides, I think.

Not necessarily in Congress, but all across the country,
the world, even.

[ballyhoo]

17. The Heads she will be butting against

have a lot of money and an agenda. You will know right away if she is real or not. I am for her now, but I don't know her that well. I hope you do.

[Voice for Peace]

32. It's common sense, high intelligence, vision, courage and integrity.

That's all I know of her, my impression.
I had and still have the same impression of Obama.

[onenote]

19. If you are as old as you say, the world you were born into

wasn't a very good one for women, African-Americans, Jews, Japanese Americans, gay Americans, people with disabilities, etc. etc. It was a world in which 18 year olds could be drafted and sent to war but couldn't vote. It was a world in which there was no controls at all on the spewing of toxic materials into the atmosphere and watersheds, a world in which DDT would threaten to wipe out migratory bird populations.

Yeah, it was dreamy back then.

Not.

[ballyhoo]

23. Do we not remember the world in the way WE

remember it. Whatever bad things were happening them, it was a much more unified country with a common purpose. There were more honest, hardworking people, more community involvement, more belief if God (however terrible that sounds) more willingness to help thy brother (even if thy brother meant simply family and close friends); and more respect for the law and general order. What we have now despite the things you mention is life of fear intermixed with moments of exasperation and chaos. Maybe from your POV things are better now, but not mine. Maybe the future will be more accepting of various people who can live together, but I doubt it. "Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder"... Someone wrote that long ago in one of the more miserable times. I'm certain Nicki Minaj has said it a thousand times...

[onenote]

27. I think you are choosing to look at the past through rose colored glasses

[ballyhoo]

28. And I shall continue to do so...Thank you for your time.

[Paper Roses]

26. Agree. n/t

[lark]

4. Turtle soup

that's all I could think of when I saw the headline. Hope he's as "happy" with his term as Boner has been, in other words NOT.

[Voice for Peace]

7. I'm confident neither of them has a beautiful and fulfilling life.

They have their smug little world but inside there is
nothing but Koch money and other people's ideas.

[lark]

8. Neither has a heart or a shred of veracity.

They are all political calculation to increase their and the 1%'s power and money. All greed all the time.

[Voice for Peace]

11. aren't you glad you're not them?

I am. I could not live with such ugliness in myself.

[lark]

12. Very true!

i may not be rich, but then I'm not a lying, hypocritical asshole either and have a clean conscience.

[onehandle]

18. They will lose the Senate in 2016. nt

[ballyhoo]

21. Nope. No way in hell. I won't be here, but

Last edited Thu Nov 13, 2014, 06:19 PM - Edit history (1)

I'll say this: I honest to God hope you are right.

[onehandle]

30. The races were firmly against us this year in the Senate. It's even worse for the GOP in 2016.

If we... When we win the Presidency in 2016, we will also take Senate.

We might take the House too, with a strong candidate.

[ballyhoo]

31. Yeah, okay......

[Javaman]

20. the coming reign of stupid. nt

[blkmusclmachine]

25. Does it really matter who the DEMS pre-capitulate to, because the GOP is going to have their way 98%

to 100% of the time regardless of who's in that spot...

[NeoConsSuck]

29. Borowitz nailed it! :)

http://www.newyorker.com/humor/borowitz-report/mcconnells-election-majority-leader-announced-puff-toxic-black-coal-smoke