Tom Feeney re-wrote one of T. Jefferson's House rules today

[Rose Siding]

WASHINGTON (AP) — Tinkering with a tradition that goes back to Thomas Jefferson, House members in the new Congress will be able to refer to senators by name on the floor — as long as they don't get too personal.

(repubs would *never* do that!)

They will no longer have to speak of "the other body" or face admonishment from the chair when they slip up and utter the word "Senate" or name a senator.

"I felt that in the modern age the rule was antiquated," said Rep. Tom Feeney, R-Fla., who added the measure to a package of rule changes the House was approving during its opening-day session. "We don't want ad hominem attacks, but we certainly want to cite the record."
...
In the House, this evolved into the prohibition on mentioning the Senate and its members by name. The premise was that senators, without floor privileges in the House, couldn't defend themselves against personal attacks. The Senate does not enforce similar language restrictions.

http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2005-01-04-speak_x.htm

Many American statesmen have passed through the halls of the US House.

Yet, not til Tom "where can I buy me a programmer" Feeney did anyone show up thinking it was a good idea to rip up the few remaining guards against floor brawls. Just a happy coincidence for him that the repubs (and his future business interests) hold all the cards.

[femme.democratique]

1. Hey Feeney, while we're at it lets fix all of the other antiquated bs

...laws!

[kodi]

2. so, the floor of the House becomes a louder propaganda tool for the GOP

now we will see the house reps from the GOP do the dirty work against democratic senators with their attacks while the senatorial opponents from the GOP can remain silent and not be accused of direct attacks on a fellow sitting senator.

yet, this might actually back-fire on the GOP. now barney frank can have a field day on the idiots in the senate

[aquart]

3. Tom Feeney is slime.