Jon Stewart: I Give Up

[filkertom]

Amazing on every level.

Comments

[colinmo.livejournal.com]

Amazing and at the same time hideously depressing. I'm going to go take 20CC of cute kitten gifs and try again tomorrow.

[smallship1.livejournal.com]

And only available in America.

[umbran.livejournal.com]

Oh, goodness, no. Stupidity is a part of the human condition.

My species never ceases to disappoint.

[tattercoats.livejournal.com]

I suspect Smallship1 means 'we can't view that video in the UK', since that's what I've just established, rather than considering whatever it is specific to the US... if I'm wrong, I apologise!

Any chance of a brief precis for those of us over here?

[filkertom.livejournal.com]

Yep (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/07/29/anthony-weiner-911-bill-ballistic_n_664568.html).

House Republicans late Thursday were able to corral enough votes to defeat a bill that would have provided up to $7.4 billion in aid to those sickened by toxins resulting from the 9/11 attacks.

[...]

At the heart of the debate was a procedural maneuver made by Democrats to suspend the rules before consideration of the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act. The move allowed leadership to block potential GOP amendments to the measure (there was worry that Republicans would attach something overtly partisan in hopes that it could pass on the otherwise widely-popular measure). It also meant that the party needed a two-thirds majority vote.

When the final tally was announced, there were 255 representatives for the measure, 159 against. The defeat of the bill, which would have provided free health care to those affected during the 9/11 rescue and recovery, likely means that the court system will have to settle compensation issues....

Jon went nuts over everything about this, especially Repubs blocking it because it would've paid for the health care by closing tax loopholes for companies doing business in the US from a "headquarters" offshore, e.g., a PO box in the Grand Caymans. He imagined first responders saying, "... You gotta PROMISE ME, AND MY FAMILY, that this will NOT affect a Swiss pharmaceutical company's offshore tax status!"

There was also the attempt to amend it so that none of the money would go to first responders who happened to be illegal immigrants.

[dysprog.livejournal.com]

Summery: Republicans vote down a bill to give medical help to the Fire Fighters, Paramedics, Police, etc who save peoples lives and now have health problems because of it.

Why? It had a tax increase to pay for it, and republicans hate taxes. Actually, not a tax increase, just a loop hole closing relating to off shore corporations hiding income in foreign bank accounts.

Further wrinkle: It would have passed, but the democrats used a procedure that required a 2/3 majority rather then a simple majority. Why? So they would not have to vote down embarrassing amendments in an election year.

[filkertom.livejournal.com]

Neither of us added: But, on the same day, a gun-ownership vote requiring 2/3 majority did pass. Keeping guns > health care for 9/11 first responders.

[bryanp.livejournal.com]

*sigh* As pro-firearm ownership as I am, they are assets in your possession. If you declare bankruptcy you should be forced to liquidate items of value, whether it's your firearms or a teacup your great great grandmother handmade for your great grandmother's birthday.

The part that threw me was the Dems deliberately using a procedure that makes passing this health bill MORE difficult? I have to wonder if they actually planned for this to fail so they could use it in political ads against Republicans.

[smallship1.livejournal.com]

Yes, that is what I meant. Thank you. :)

[james-the-evil1.livejournal.com]

Try this:
http://www.fancast.com/tv/The-Daily-Show-With-Jon-Stewart/89142/1560323027/I-Give-Up---9-11-Responders-Bill/videos
Might work

[dragon-avatar.livejournal.com]

if only we didn't have to deal with a two party system that was corrupt up to their necks in backroom deals and pork barrels.

[smallship1.livejournal.com]

Show me a two party system that isn't. (If there is one, then so much the better.)

[dragon-avatar.livejournal.com]

exactly my point. There will always be those drawn into the corruption of power, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.

[rev-ursa.livejournal.com]

Show me ANY system that isn't. Human greed will out.

[redaxe.livejournal.com]

Just Fscking Terrible. There's your new Congressional tagline.

[tarsa.livejournal.com]

Can we sharpen the guillotines now?

[james-the-evil1.livejournal.com]

+1

[mouser.livejournal.com]

I want a list of everyone that voted against this.

[tcgtrf.livejournal.com]

Your wish is my command:

http://www.opencongress.org/vote/2010/h/491

[zibblsnrt.livejournal.com]

Canada's blocked from seeing the link, apparently.

[james-the-evil1.livejournal.com]

Try this, it might work:
http://www.fancast.com/tv/The-Daily-Show-With-Jon-Stewart/89142/1560323027/I-Give-Up---9-11-Responders-Bill/videos

[alverant.livejournal.com]

We shouldn't be surprised. The Rethugs can't milk 9/11 for votes anymore. Anyone with a calendar would know that by this point in the W reign we already had the worst foreign terror attack in US history AND went to war with the wrong nation. What's more he's actually STOPPED terror attacks before they happened instead of exploiting them for political capital. If you measure "protecting the US" to be how far into your term you can go before a terror attack hits, Obama is twice as good as W. That's a thing the Party of No won't admit to.

[unclelumpy.livejournal.com]

But don't you dare say anything nasty about the people who spoke against this measure, or you'll be branded a "hate-speaker" by a certain troll in every sense of the word.

[palenoue.livejournal.com]

They voted down desperately needed health care for heroes who risked their lives (and health) to save people in order to preserve a tax loophole so large foreign corporations can avoid paying taxes, yet tripped over themselves in their rush to exempt firearms from bankruptcy proceedings.

How could you say anything nastier than that? What combination of derogatory words could possibly present them any worse?

[unclelumpy.livejournal.com]

Don't ask me, ask the guy who wants society reduced to tribes even though he'll likely be the main course the day cannibalism takes over.

[kilbia.livejournal.com]

Because he's so well-marbled and juicy....mmm...*drool*

Dude, if it ever comes down to cannibalism, I'd be a friggin' Wagyu longpig except for all the preservatives I've been eating recently.