Thursday, June 08, 2006

Mixed Legislative Bag

The bad news? The Federal Marriage Protection Amendment was filibustered to death in the Senate (not "defeated" as the ASSociated Press predictably mis-reported; by that standard both teams in a baseball rainout should be charged with a loss. Though I can't imagine why, since it while it would have garnered majority support, it wouldn't have come anywhere near the two-thirds threshold. Wait, I can imagine why: Democrats didn't want to be caught voting against it on the record), and the repeal of the estate tax was also throttled before it could be voted upon (where it would have passed by a comfortable margin). The Dems have taken it in the shorts in the upper chamber the last two election cycles because of this tiresome obstructionism, but they keep, um, "soldiering" on.

The good news? Senator Akaka's Hawaii racist separatism bill also was strangled afore-vote, though just barely (more on that issue here). And the House managed to pass a piece of energy legislation that would actually enhance energy independence by boosting domestic refining capacity via streamlining the excessively bureaucratic permit process for new or expanded facilities, though it is expected to meet the same fate as the aforementioned bills when it goes across the Capitol.

Why? Because Donks are yoked to Bolsheviks masquerading as eco-Robin Hoods. Because Donks ARE Bolshevik eco-Robin Hoods. And because if they can stop anything that stands a chance of actually leading to cheaper gasoline, they can keep blaming high gas prices on Bush and the GOP.

No wonder they're so pissed that we offed Zarqawi.