What is Jay Rockefeller doing now in the Senate?

[Skidmore]

Something is happening. Involves the intelligence committee and Roberts.

[joanski0]

1. He's talking about the intelligence

provisions in the Patriot Act. I don't know if I heard it right or not, but it sounded like Rockefeller was saying that if the Patriot Act was allowed to die, then the Intelligence Committee will not finish it's investigations. If that is so, now I can see why the Repukes don't want to renew the PAct.

[Drum]

2. caught the last minute only:

Sen R asked that a statemant by Sen Kennedy be included in the record, and a break?

[joanski0]

3. Senator Kerry going to speak now

for 15 minutes, as if in morning business.

Going to talk about CIA prisions around the world.

[Drum]

4. Kerry's up now (5:02)...clandestine detention facilities...nt

[Lasher]

5. Possibly the bipartisan request for a joint intel/judicial investigation

Jay is one of the intelligence committee members who have just requested a joint intelligence/judicial committee hearing on Dumbya's illegal spying on Americans. Whitewash Roberts will not be able to stonewall the hearing, since the number of 5 intelligence committee members required to force a hearing, according to Senate rules, has been met.

Does this seem like it's what you were wondering about?

[joanski0]

6. Something weird is going on.

The Repukes don't want a quorum call for some reason. Judd Gregg keeps objecting. Brownback is talking now. Then Durbin for 15 minutes, then Boxer for 30 minutes. And Sen. Stevens wants time to yak again about ANWAR drilling. Got to watch and figure out why Repukes don't want a quorum call.

[Skidmore]

7. I'm glad it isn't just me. I don't always understand what is happening

but I usually can tell when something is weird. Something definitely is going on here.

[joanski0]

8. They were supposed to be finished debating

the Budget spending bill around 6:30. Seems like either the Dems or Repukes don't want a vote yet. Maybe it's the Dems, because Kent Conrad keeps saying when we have a quorum call, the time will come off both sides equally. I don't think the time they use talking in "morning business" counts against debate on the bill.

[Lasher]

9. I don't understand exactly what a quarum call is in this case

I do understand the concept in general, of course. But could they be stalling until Darth Cheney gets there so that he can break a tie vote? He cut short his World Fascism Tour for this purpose.

I'm watching CSPAN 2 and now that you've mentioned it it does seem the repukes are blocking a quarum call. And it does seem that Brownback has inserted himself onto the stage just to stall. He certainly has nothing meaningful to say.

"We need to balance the budget, blah blah, the system has to change, blah blah." He's right, we need to put Democrats in control of the system.

[joanski0]

10. Yes, but now Brownback has called a quorum call

and no one objected.

Oh, shit, here's Ted Stevens.

[Lasher]

12. Boy, Stevens is a hell of a public speaker, huh?

"Uh, an, uh uh provisions that will uh uh, an, uh"

This seems to support the current 'stall theory', right?

[Marie26]

15. Probably trying to slip ANWAR into an unrelated bill again.

That man's going to get ANWAR oil drilling or die trying.

[Lasher]

18. Has ANWAR drilling been taken out of the defense appropriations bill?

[Blue_In_AK]

19. "Die trying."

We in Alaska can only hope......

[Viva_La_Revolution]

11. Take good notes guys....

I have to run errands.

I'm gonna miss Boxer :(

[Skidmore]

13. Yeah, I've got to head home. Catch up with you later. Hope

Canofun can get any good bits for later. Having trouble keeping up with all I miss now.

[Lasher]

14. Even worse, I missed Byrd's 'Hear me' speech today

If anyone knows where I can watch Byrd's speech, please let me know.

[joanski0]

16. Stevens now threatening that the

HOUSE wants this conference bill passed. They do not want a continuing resolution for Defense Spending. Stevens says he believes that it is in the best interests of the nation to pass this bill with the ANWAR drilling. Gosh, he'd better go have another drink. He's stuttering like hell.

[Lasher]

17. What, did Durbin just ask for the quarum call to be suspended?

OK, I've just decided I don't have a clue. :shrug:

[Lasher]

20. Yay, here comes Boxer!

I was about to fall asleep.