Iowa
Related: About this forumGrassley Threatens The U.S.
November 16, 2013 | Author Dave Bradley (note to editors - I have author's permission to copy)
One of the reasons that I have been thinking over the past couple of years that Chuck Grassley may be an order of french fries short of a happy meal is that many times over the past couple years he has made some outlandish statements in public. He was at it once again Tuesday when he issued what he must have considered to be a threat to Democrats but was actually much more than that.
Many of those on the other side who are clamoring for rules change and almost falling over themselves to do it have never served a single day in the minority, Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA) said Tuesday in a floor speech. All I can say is this be careful what you wish for.
So if the Democrats are bent on changing the rules, then I say go ahead, he said. There are a lot more Scalias and [Clarence] Thomases that wed love to put on the bench. The nominees wed nominate and put on the bench with 51 votes would interpret the constitution as it was written.
What Mr. Grassley said in that statement is that if the Dems take away the Republican option to force everything to a super-majority which is nearly impossible to attain (thus the obstruction caused by the Republicans during the Obama presidency), the Republicans will let loose more stink bombs on the country just like a bunch of petulant 13 year old junior high boys.
Invoking the names of two of the worst justices who have ever sat on the bench, Grassley threatened There are a lot more Scalias and [Clarence] Thomases. Scalia pulls opinions out of seemingly nowhere, making it up as he goes. He is overtly anti-gay and thus almost always a solid NO on any case that might advance minority rights. Clarence Thomas votes however Scalia does. In addition, he seems to think court sessions are good places for long rests. He seems to be limited to a few words a decade and even those may be garbled. But Thomass wife is seldom quiet. Many times her well paid political activity has come at a time when her husband is judging a case on issues shes involved in as a partisan. Neither sees a problem with that.
I could go on, but the point is that while Chuck must have thought he was scaring Democrats into backing off from the so-called nuclear option, he was actually admitting that Scalia and Thomas were really bad, else such a statement would prevent no threat. Thus threatening to use great responsibilities, such as approving people who will have great unchecked power in our government, as judiciously as the 13 year old boy who lets off the stink bomb on the junior high playground.
Funny no one has stepped up to defend Thomas and Scalia as not deserving of their new status as examples of just how bad the GOP can be. If I were Scalia or Thomas I would think I would be outraged at having been inferred to be really lousy choices. But no one has stepped up to say Scalia and Thomas are good judges not even themselves. So I guess they agree with apparently nearly everyone else. I know for sure this is one time I agree with Chuck. Thomas, Scalia equal stink bombs.
Thomas and Scalia are two great examples of just how irresponsible and juvenile Republicans can be when using their awesome power of approving appointments. Thank you for pointing this out, Chuck. BTW where in the Constitution does it say the Senate has a filibuster? Or that to move legislation or approve nominees to anything needs a super majority. No, I do not believe that Republicans are anywhere near the arbiters of the original meaning of the Constitution Grassley thinks they are.
I can hardly wait to vote for whoever runs against him. Time for him to stay home and just use one mower at a time.
http://www.blogforiowa.com/2013/11/16/grassley-threatens-the-us/
Frustratedlady
(16,254 posts)I think it is time for Grassley to retire. Actually, I was thinking he did and no one noticed, since he's been relatively quiet of late. Since it is so close to elections, I believe he is lying low in order to avoid saying something stupid and giving his opponent something to use against him.
rurallib
(62,406 posts)I think his staff is really keeping him under wraps.
progressoid
(49,978 posts)Of course, they'll never vote for anyone else.
Time for Chuckles to retire.
Thinkingabout
(30,058 posts)Fellow GOP members and prevented them from abusing the filibuster.
monmouth3
(3,871 posts)IADEMO2004
(5,554 posts)Grassley climbs out on the smallest branch of the statistics tree and said in a press release "Fact: Fertilizer use is on the decline. Compare application per bushel in 1980 versus 2010 nitrogen is down 43 percent; phosphate is down 58 percent; and, potash is down 64 percent"
http://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/Article.cfm?customel_dataPageID_1502=47484
Per bushel? Good one Senator. Ignore total application in Iowa and go for per bushel. Ignore world's largest nitrate-removal facility in Des Moines, the state capital, heard of it Senator, world's largest nitrate-removal facility. This summer Des Moines and Raccoon rivers hit their highest levels on record for nitrates.
http://www.kmaland.com/news/local_news/farm-bill-key-on-drinking-water-treatment/article_cad27c5c-52f2-11e3-8e4d-0019bb30f31a.html